The Fiesta de San Fermin is best
known for the encierro or running of the bulls. Yes, one year I made the trek
to Pamplona to partake in this madness held at eight o'clock each morning from
the 7th to the 14th of July. "Why," you ask "why do people do
this"? Only heaven knows, but the one thing I am sure of is that it was
conceived by men.
This lil' shindig's history is lost in time but it probably started in the
13th or 14th century and was a combination of different events. As with most
Spanish festivals they are somehow tied into religion and saints. San Fermin
is the patron saint of Pamplona and also happens to be the saint of the Cobblers,
Winemakers and Bakers. Which basically sums up the week - lots of running, food
and wine. Couldn't have picked a better guy.
In 1926 when Ernest Hemingway wrote the "The Sun Also Rises" he
encouraged people from all over the world to come and take part in the festivities.
Well it worked! Nowadays over 1 million people visit this town in the Basque
country of Spain.
Okay, so I wimped out on actually running but that didn't diminish the experience
by any means. I donned the all white attire with a red scarf went to the encierros,
dances, concerts, bullfights, ate, drank and soaked up the atmosphere.
So, how does this rank on my list of great things to do in your life? One
year I went to the Super Bowl in New Orleans when my my beloved 49ers won with
the largest margin of victory in Super Bowl history! A faint memory of the glory
days, I know. Fiesta de San Fermin ranks higher. Everything you ever wanted to
know about Pamplona and running with the bulls <Click
here> Written by Darlene Tenes, CasaQ.
Article
and recipes courtesy of CasaQ - A Culture.
A Lifestyle.
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