The running of the bulls in Spain, tradition or cruelty?

Although the idea of running in front of six angry bulls through narrow streets may seem crazy to most, every year thousands of people do it in Pamplona (Spain), for the San Fermin Festival or the “Fiestas de San Fermín.” This year, the traditional festivities resumed, after the coronavirus pandemic put them on hold for two years.

The “Sanfermines,” as they are popularly known, take place between July 6th and July 14th, in Pamplona, the capital of Navarre, in northern Spain. They have been celebrated since the Middle Ages, in honor of San Fermín, who is the patron saint of Navarre. Therefore, there is a procession in his honor on July 7th through the old town and those who run in front of the bulls sing to him every morning. However, although the origin of the festival is religious, most of the activities are far from being so and can even be considered loaded with violence.

The inauguration of the celebrations is held in the “Plaza del Ayuntamiento,” where thousands of people gather, dressed in white clothes and a red scarf, and after the launch of a rocket (the “chupinazo”) at noon, which is the sign of the beginning of the party, and the cry of “Long live San Fermín, Gora San Fermín!,” they begin to spray each other with red wine.

From July 7th, every morning at 8am, the popular running of the bulls is held. It is a race of 875 meters, in which the participants run in front of six wild bulls. The animals are released on a fenced route from the slope of Santo Domingo to the square, where they are locked in the corrals. Usually, it does not last more than two or three minutes, and most runners do not complete the entire route, but only a short section.

If you are thinking of visiting Pamplona and run in front of the bulls, you should keep in mind that they do not run all together, but usually get separated in smaller groups. And that it is also common for one of them to turn around. But also remember that there is an average of two thousand people who participate in the race every day. You don’t have to deal with the animals only, but also with the unpredictable behavior of the rest of the runners. Therefore, it is recommended to wear appropriate footwear, to not take a backpack or camera, and to be sober.

Are there risks? Yes, of course. This year, 52 runners had to get medical attention, for bruises, fractures and cuts; in most cases, as a result of falls. However, there were also five people who were injured by the bulls’ horns, although none too severe. And since 1911, 16 people have died from injuries sustained during the street lockdowns —the last death occurred in 2009 when a bull injured a young Spaniard in the neck, heart and lungs.

Despite these numbers, the truth is that when you consider the amount of people who run every day, for eight days, the probability of being seriously injured is quite low. But even so, there are many who prefer to see the running of the bulls from the balconies -you can rent one-, from the other side of the fences or on the giant screens that are placed in the bullring.

At 6:30 in the evening the bullfight begins with the animals that were taken to the square during the morning. It is an activity that, although it has detractors, is considered part of the cultural heritage of Spain. The six bulls are sacrificed by three bullfighters, who will show off their ability to dodge the animal -with a weight of about 600 kilos and powerful horns- and the graciousness of their movements.

Although during the street lockdowns the animals are, in some cases, mistreated so that they get angry and the activity becomes more exciting for the runners and the public, the bullfight in the square is the cruelest, since the animal is struck with sticks and flags on the back, so that it begins to weaken due to the loss of blood, until the bullfighter sticks a sword in his back and kills it.

Therefore, every year there are groups that demonstrate against this ritual while the celebrations are being held. Catalonia has already banned bullfighting, but it seems unlikely that the same will happen in Navarre. Especially, when you consider that, during San Fermín, the city, which normally has 200 thousand inhabitants, increases its population to almost a million people, which means the festivities are a good source of income from tourism.

The holiday became famous after Ernest Hemingway described it in his novel “The Sun also Rises.” Readers of this book have been drawn to visit Pamplona in July to witness the displays of courage and passion, and to participate in a celebration that shares with the carnivals the spirit that many things are allowed on those days, such as drinking “a little more than usual” or be dragged by the party and stay awake all night.

However, San Fermín is much more than the running of the bulls and the bullfight. Spaniards and tourists will find various activities to enjoy during the day and the night, such as concerts, exhibitions, music and dances in the streets, and fireworks shows, which can be enjoyed by the whole family. In addition, they can taste the typical foods and drinks.

El Colacho

There are other festivals in Spain that can be considered controversial. In the province of Burgos, the “Baby Jumping” or “El Colacho” takes place every year since 1620. After a week of celebrations, on Sunday, men dressed as the devil, in yellow and red clothes, jump over the babies born in the village of Castrillo de Murcia during the previous twelve months.

The infants are laid on mattresses placed on the streets and the “Colacho” jumps over them to take away their original sin. The Catholic church has advised against this ritual because it considers that original sin is cleansed by baptism. Of course, some people could also think that having men jumping over can hold some danger for the babies.