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San Fermin (Home Page)

The Festival's History

Pictures

Diamond Poems

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BiEnVeNiDoS 2 oUr SiTe!!!

 

San Fermin..."Running of the Bulls"


...also called: "Encierro"


An online guide to the Spanish "Bull Running" fiesta, created by Kathya Acuna, Tara Gu, Irene Ku, and Naveen Nanja.


Introduction     

 

San Fermin, also known as "Running of the Bulls" or "Encierro"as it is called in Spain, is a traditional Spanish fiesta that takes place annually from the 6th to the 14th of July. Named for the patron saint San Fermin, this event was originally used to transfer bulls from outside of the town to the bullring. However, this tradition has evolved from the 1500s to become what it is today: a crazy fiesta, whose most famous feature is how daring (and stupid) young men dash in front of bulls down the streets of the city. The most famous of these celebrations in Spain occurs in the sleepy town of Pamplona.


 

Who Was San Fermin???


Just who was San Fermin, and why is there a huge party in his honor? San Fermin was the son of a local patriarch of Pamplona in the 3rd Century, A.D. When the French Bishop, San Saturnino, came to Pamplona to spread the word of God, San Saturnino became Ferminus' mentor. Later on, Fermin went to Toulouse to study to be a bishop. Afterward, Fermin went to work in Amiens, where he aggravated and annoyed many important people. Fermin was eventually beheaded and buried in Amiens.


 When this news reached Pamplona, Fermin became a local martyr and hero. An annual festival was established in his honor. Pamplona is a very festive town, and can often find any reason just to dance, drink, and party for a few days. 

 



Traditions


Opening ceremonies of this fiesta begin on July 6th at 12:00 noon. The running of the bulls start at 8:00 AM each morning after that, from July 7th to July 14th. The official colors for this fiesta are red and white. Traditionally, apparel is a white shirt and pants with a red scarf and/or sash.

 

At 7:55 AM, the runners beyond the bull corral sing to a statue of San Fermin, asking for his protection. The official running begins when the San Saturnino church clock strikes 8:00 AM. Two rockets are blasted, announcing the exit of the bulls from the corrals. The first rocket signals that the gate to the corral is now open. The second rocket announces that the bulls, preceded by 8 oxen, are now in the streets, running toward the runners. The entire is "Encierro" route is about 800 meters long, lasting for two to three minutes.