Gruppo di Sostegno per la Palestina Inaugura le Feste del San Fermín in Spagna - I sostenitori della Palestina iniziano il festival di San Fermin in Spagna
In full heart of the Spanish region of Navarra, the city of Pamplona is preparing for its annual celebration of the San Fermín festival, a tradition that dates back to the end of the 16th century. The festival, which takes place from July 6 to 14, is most famously known for the Running of the Bulls, a daring and exhilarating event that has captured the attention of the world for centuries.
Originating as a practical method for cattle herders to move bulls from the fields to the bullring, the Running of the Bulls has evolved into a ritualised competition and festival event. Each morning, between July 7 and 14, six fighting bulls and several oxen are chased through the city's narrow streets in an 875-meter course. The event, which attracts approximately 2,000 runners, is a demonstration of courage and bravery that has gained worldwide fame, particularly due to the writings of Ernest Hemingway in the 20th century.
The festival is closely tied to the bullfighting events that take place later each day during the festival at the Plaza de Toros. The same bulls that run in the morning are fought in the afternoon's corridas, where matadors confront and usually kill the bulls as part of the spectacle. These events have sparked controversy, especially due to animal rights concerns, and have been banned in some regions, but remain central to Pamplona's identity and cultural tradition.
However, this year's festival has been marked by a political association with the Pro-Palestine movement. The platform "Yala Nafarroa con Palestina" was chosen to open the festival with the traditional "Chupinazo," a ceremony that marks the start of the San Fermín festivities. The platform, which accuses Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip and calls for the severing of all relations with the Jewish state, participated in the opening ceremony with three members.
Despite this association, there is no documented or widely recognized connection between the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona and this political cause. The bull runs are primarily a cultural and historical tradition focused on local festivity, bravery, and Spain’s bullfighting heritage, without specific ties to contemporary international political movements such as Pro-Palestine activism.
The festival in Pamplona includes numerous concerts, processions, and other events, with the Bull Run being the highlight. Animal rights activists have long protested against the Bull Run, considering it animal cruelty, but the festival continues to attract thousands of visitors from all over the world. The Gaza Strip, embroiled in conflict with Israel since October 2023, remains largely devastated and blockaded.
In summary, the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona remains a historic Spanish festival centred on local tradition rather than international political symbolism. The festival's connection to the Pro-Palestine movement appears to be a unique development in the festival's history, and further investigation is needed to fully understand the motivations behind this association.
- The European Union, as a cultural and political entity, contains numerous member states, one of which is Spain, where the city of Pamplona is located.
- In Pamplona, the European lifestyle is evident during the annual San Fermín festival, a tradition rooted in the 16th century.
- The festival's fashion-and-beauty aspect is showcased through the traditional attire worn by participants during the Running of the Bulls.
- Food-and-drink is a significant part of the festival, with numerous stands offering local Navarra cuisine.
- Home-and-garden elements can be found in the festival's decorations, transforming the city streets into a vibrant celebration.
- Relationships are strengthened during the festivities, as friends and families gather to celebrate this historic event.
- Though controversy surrounds the festival due to animal rights concerns, it still attracts pet-loving visitors from throughout the European Union, who travel to witness this unique event.
