RunningWithBulls.com - The curse of Sanfermin

The fiesta of Sanfermin begun, it is believed sometime, in the 15th century. It is held in celebration of the Patron Saint of Pamplona, Saint Fermín.

Of course, over the past 500 odd years the fiesta has changed, but in the last (at least hundred years- since video/photographic recording) the fiesta looks the same.

The old cartels of Sanfermin have a certain charm, the 1959 cartel showing an “oldworld feel”.

[All copyright of photograph: T. Vincente / San Fermin 1959 © T. Vicente]

The video below is of the 1959 Sanfermin:

While the clothes are not the famous “blanco y rojo” (white and red) of the past 20 odd years, it is easy to see this is fiesta time.

The beginning shows Calle Santo Domingo, everyone getting ready to run down the street, against the bulls, an exciting and terrifying practice that goes on today.

What you will notice is the rolled up Diario De Navarra, is not as ubiquitous as it is today. Diario’s marketing department have done a wonderful job on that.

From the short clip of the encierro, its also clear that the number of people taking part is much less than now adays, where some runs can have 1,500-2,000 people taking part, particularly at La Curva, Estafeta and Telefónica/La Callejón.

Los Kilikis, Cabezudos, and Los Gigantes are, the same-inflicting pain on the unsuspecting children.

What has changed, is the location of the funfair, up until last year, being held Calle Yanguas y Mirande in the grounds outside La Vuelta De Castillo, this year moved to Rotxapea. Those grounds have now become the City subterranean Bus Station, seeing the closure of Spain’s last 1930’s style bus station, in the nearby Calle Tudela.

Towards the end of the video, we see a corrida, again with the same traditions, ceremonies, ending of course with, Las Peña.

[This video is hosted on Sanfermin.com]