Customs - Grumpy head and bruises during bull run in Pamplona
Six people have been injured during the first bullfight of the controversial Sanfermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain. As is traditional since over 400 years ago, they ran through the narrow streets of the old town with the bulls. No one was critically injured, only one patient suffered from a skull trauma and five had bruises, according to a health spokesperson speaking to the state TV-channel RTVE. There will be another bullfight every day for the next seven days. For the bulls, it is their last day alive, they die later in the bullring.
Bulls are fast
Although bulls may look a bit plump, they can run faster than humans. The challenge for younger men during the run is to get as close as possible to the 600 kilogram heavy fighting bulls without getting gored.
During the 875 meter long run to the bullring, the runners try to get a head start on the bulls. At some point, every runner will be overtaken by the animals and tries to hit them on the back. The run takes place over smooth and sometimes wet cobblestone.
Looking backwards while running
Most falls occur because runners look backwards in anticipation of the bulls. A stumble by one runner often leads to several more falling. It becomes particularly dangerous when the bulls are approaching. The last fatal victim was in 2009.
Among the fans of the festival is the Pamplona-born football star Nico Williams (21), who on Friday played with the Spanish national team against Germany in the European Championship. "I usually celebrate it every year. This year I can't. But if we make it to the final, it's fine", he said to the sports newspaper "AS".
Animal rights activists protest
Criticism and protests are growing every year. On Friday, the organizations PETA and AnimaNaturalis demonstrated against the nine-day festival in Pamplona and called it "medieval cruelty". Animal rights activists have been calling for an end to bullfights and all bloody bull runs for a long time.
Demonstrations had already taken place in the days leading up to the festival, where participants carried signs with slogans like "Torture is neither art nor culture" and "Bullfighting is a national disgrace". "We know that there is a majority in society that rejects this bullfighting not only in Pamplona, but throughout Spain, and has no interest in maintaining it - let alone with our taxes", said the AnimaNaturalis chairman Aida Gascon.
Criticism versus enthusiasm
Despite the conviction of committed fans, the bloody Fiesta in the Navarra region still has high economic potential. According to official figures, a record 1.5 million participants were counted last year. Hotels reported an average occupancy rate of 90 percent before the festival, and rental homes were no longer available at normal prices. Visitors come from Spain and all over the world. For the city, it is a million-dollar business.
- Many men participate in the Sanfermines Festival custom, eager to get close to the fast-moving bulls, despite the risk of bruises or worse.
- Protests against the bull chase and bullfights have become an annual event during the Sanfermines Festival, with animal rights activists labeling it as 'medieval cruelty'.
- Despite the injuries and controversy, the Sanfermines Festival in Pamplona attracts a large number of enthusiasts, resulting in economic benefits for the city.
- Despite his participation in the European Championship match, football star Nico Williams, who was born in Pamplona, expressed his regret at missing the festival this year due to scheduling conflicts.
- Despite the tradition and economic benefits, some critics argue that the Sanfermines Festival, with its bull chase and bullfights, is not a positive representation of Spanish culture and customs.
