Running with bulls in Pamplona

The tradition goes on in Spain. Pamplona is located in the Navarra region of northern Spain. Reports said that half a million filled the streets yesterday. The annual Fiestas San Fermin or "The running of the bulls" as it is more commonly known as has just started.

For many people they see this for the first time and last time. Others have adopted it as a life style. They have been really hooked by the partying or running with the bulls, perhaps both. The festival runs for two weeks in Pamplona between the 6th and the 14th of July.

Suspense thrill joining the wild bulls. Since the end of the 1400-century there have been bullfights in Pamplona. The Bull Run starts precisely at 8:00am every morning from the 7th to 14th July. The bulls releases from the Rochapea Rampart, a structure that forms a part of the ancient Pamplona fortress walls, and it is used to hold the bulls during the fiesta. Two rockets send up in the air, the first one when the gates are opened and the second when the bulls have left the fences.

The complete bull runs 825 meters distance of urban streets. It makes it even more exiting with steep uphill sections, 90 degree curves, very narrow cobblestone streets, downhill sections and finally, a small tunnel that push the runners into the bull ring where the official run ends. It takes only three minutes. Two young bulls are then released into the ring with their horns, and taped to avoid serious wounds. Thanks to Ernest Hemingway the arrangement became famous in the 1930's after he wrote the novel "The Sun Also Rises".

Bull fighting is an integrated part of the Spanish culture. It is against the rules to touch the bull, but you have to be prepared for that the bulls can touch you. It has been said that there is no injury to the bull, only the people get hurt, or worse, people also get killed. You play with your life. It is risky to mingle with the bulls.

But for they who want to stay on a certain distance, you can attend other parts of the festival. Look up champagne spraying, eggs and flour flying in the air. You can also dance in the streets until the sun rises.

Stein Morten Lund, 7 July 2000