2. Los Eventos
The Txupinazo (Rocket)
The kick-off to San Fremín happens on July 6 at midday every
year. Thousands of people gather in the Plaza del
Ayuntamiento, where a rocket is lit up to signal the start of the
celebrations.
The Encierro (Bull Run)
This is the most exciting part of the holiday, every morning at 8 am
from July 7-14 bulls are released into the streets along with
young people trying to run with them.
3. Los Eventos
The Corrida (Bull Fight)
This is an even more exciting part of the fiesta than the encierro,
which after all would not exist if it were not for the bullfight. It is
held every afternoon from July 7 to 14 at 6.30 pm.
The Procession
The Procession of San Fermín takes place on July 7 at 10 am. It is a
religious affair, involving the statue of the saint and various official
bodies.
Giants and Cabezudos (Big Heads)
These are the most important figures carried by dancers in the
comparsa, the parade which entertains people in the mornings of
San Fermín.
4. Other Events
There is always something happening in San Fermín: a
concert, a firework display, the struendo (drum
banging) According to the municipal website, "158
programmed performances ... happen 24 hours a day
throughout the festival, every 90 minutes there is a
different act.“
The Pobre de Mi (Poor Old Me)
At midnight on July 14, Pamplona's peñas, party clubs, gather
in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to sing this only half-ironic
tragic song. The "Poor Old Me" has a double meaning, not
only grieving for the end of the fiesta, but also when the
singer finds himself sad after eight days of non-stop partying.
5. You Should Know…
What to Wear- July in Navarre is
usually hot. You are not obliged to wear
the traditional San Fermín red-and-white
combo, but you will feel less out of place
if you do and probably enjoy yourself
more. It isn’t much just: white trousers
and shirt, with a red neckerchief.
6. You Should Know..
(continued)
Food and Drink- San Fermín is not just a
drunken revelry, in fact it is a thoroughly family
oriented affair. But if you are drinking, and
something tells me you might be, take my advice,
eat as much as you can, when you can, and try
not to get carried away with the drinking euphoria:
the idea is to reach a level of intoxication and
maintain it, not go over the top. Your staple food
will probably be bocadillos and raciones, but
Pamplona has taverns and restaurants aplenty.
7. Practical Information
In 2011 Pamplona City Hall carried out a
survey which tells us that 20,500 people
in total took part in the running of the
bulls this year.
Plenty of info on The City, Shopping,
Shows, Drinking, Eating, and
Addresses.
8. History
Tradition tells us that a priest named Honesto arrived in
Roman Pamplona sent by Saint Saturnino to evangelize the
town, and that Senator Firmo was converted to Christianity
along with his family. Fermin, his son, was taught by
Honesto, and when he was 17 years old, he began to
preach in the surrounding area. Later, when he was 24
years old, he was confirmed as a bishop by Honorato, the
prelate of Toulouse. At 31 years of age, Fermín left to
preach the Gospel in Gaul: at first in Aquitaine, Auvergne
and Anjou, and finally in Armens, where he succeeded in
achieving a great many conversions and where he was
imprisoned. On September 25, he was beheaded.
9. History (Continued)
His body, which was buried in secret by
some Christians, was found, amazingly
enough, centuries later, on January 13,
615, in the bishopric of San Salvio. It was
moved to a nearby city where some
magnificent Gothic reliefs from the 15th
century, located in the space behind the
altar of the cathedral where his remains are
conserved.
10. Comparsa de Gigantes
In 1607 one Joanes de Azcona is
named as being responsible for bringing
out the assemblage of Giants along with
a minstrel who was responsible for
providing the accompanying music. In
1620 it is recorded that a carpenter,
Joan de Torrobas, was paid 88 "reales"
to mend four Giants.
