The Txupinazo (or chupinazo) marks the commencement of the fiesta of Sanfermín. It is a pyrotechnic rocket, which is launched from the balcony of the Townhall (Ayuntamiento) in the Plaza Consistorial at precisely midday on the 6th of July.
Every year, the Mayor of Pamplona and Town Councillors select a person from Navarra (normally from Pamplona) who is chosen as the guest who will light the rocket. This is a very important honour for people as it is one of the focal points of the festival.
[Image copyright of Pixelydixel from Flickr, and YoSobreViviaSanfermin Original available here.]
Being in the Plaza Consistorial during the Txupinazo can be slightly dangerous as thousands of people cram into the relatively small square, with hundreds of glass bottles. The sheer movement of a crowd of thousands can knock some people to the ground.
Some less prepared people (notably the guiris - thats foreign people) arrive wearing flip-flops, sandals, and sometimes barefeet. These stupid people see the error of their ways very quickly, when their feet get cut to bits.
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