The Uniqueness of Saint Fermin Festival

Pamplona has a small 250,000 population which swells to three times around the famous St. Fermin fiesta. This festival is celebrated by thousands of locals and tourists from all over the world although this is a religious fiesta in honor of Saint Fermin. The highlight of this festival is the bull runs between July 6 and July 14 except for the first day. Eventful happening Dozens of bulls are released everyday to run through the cordoned streets of Pamplona mimicking the medieval herdsmen with the townsfolk’s assistance. Bull runs and bull fights are deep traditions in Spain. Hundreds of young Spanish men would participate in this traditional annual bull runs with some indulging into the more dangerous bull fights in the bull ring. The bull runs are well planned by the local authorities as they have been conducted over many years. Very few casualties have happened in the past in such bull runs and bull fights although some casualties have been fatal. Double sets of protective fencing lined the designated bull-run routes with police, ambulances and medical assistance well positioned for any emergency. Corridas Once the bulls enter the bull ring, there would be the paseillo where bull fighting participants would be presented. There would be a symbolic act of getting the keys to release the bulls by two Alguacilillos horsemen. Hence, the bull fight begins with the first bull released from the pent. There are three parts to a bull fight; the tercios, la suerte and suerte suprema. It is common to have three toreros with every torero challenging 2 bulls in every Corrida. The first tercio bullfighter normally uses the capote of yellow and purple while two ‘picadors’ come riding on horses with a lance. The la suerte has 3 banderilleros who are to pierce a couple of banderillas into bull’s back. The suerte suprema is where the bullfighter makes use of a piece of red rag called the muleta to showcase his faena or mastery of the bull by killing it with his sword in an attempt to establish the artistic symbiosis between the beast and man. This would end the Corrida. Festivity The Pamplona ferienhäuser mallorca bull runs add on the excitement to the St. Fermin festival where there are plenty of parades, colorful processions, music, street dancing and fireworks displays at night. One can hardly be a mere spectator in this festivity with the crowds going wild in the celebration. Families are bonded closer and friendships are strengthened through such celebrations.