More than 12,000 people gathered in the center of Pamplona in northern Spain on Monday to celebrate the start of the San Fermín Festival, famous for the running of the bulls.
The festivities began with the traditional “chupinazo”, a small rocket fired from the balcony of the town hall over the packed plaza.
Revelers celebrated by pouring wine and grape juice on each other, holding red scarves, singing and dancing and shouting “San Fermín, San Fermín, San Fermín”.
The first running of the bulls will begin on Tuesday morning, and will take place every day until July 14.
At 8:00 am several 600 kg fighting bulls will be released through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter on an 848-metre course towards the bullring, in front of hundreds of people.
Dozens of people are injured each year, and there have been 16 deaths since 1924.
In the evening, some of the same bulls running in the streets are killed in bullfights. Other festival events include concerts and parades.
As in previous years, animal rights activists protested the running of the bulls, with dozens seen wearing bull horns and covered in red paint
Pamplona and the Running of the Bulls provided the backdrop for American author Ernest Hemingway’s first major novel, “The Sun Also Rises,” which turns 100 this year. Hemingway’s novel helped make bull racing famous around the world.
Every year, the festival attracts visitors from Europe, Australia, Asia, and the United States. The festival dates back to the late 16th century and honors San Fermín, the patron saint of Pamplona.
Edited by: Zack Crellin
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