This is what we’ve been waiting for – San Fermines 2011! One of the most expected events of the year in Spain has just begun in the capital city of Navarre in the North. For those of you who are wondering what the San Fermín Festival is about – let me tell you a bit about what the festivities offers, and why this event attracts the attention of people from all parts of the world. For the ones who are already in Pamplona enjoying the party, I just wish you the best time!

The first day of San Fermines brings up a lot of excitement and anticipation. The calm city with around 200,000 habitants during the year turns up and down welcoming thousands of tourists, and increasing the population to one million of people from all parts of the world who have come to Pamplona to enjoy the San Fermines.

Every year, the San Fermines start on the 6th of July. It takes place in a city on the North of Spain, in the Province of Navarre, called Pamplona. It starts with an event called “Txupinazo” exactly at midday where all the people gather in front of the city hall, and wait for the mayor to give out a speech and start the San Fermines.

At that precise moment all the people who are dress entirely in white, tie their handkerchiefs on their necks and begin to celebrate spoiling wine, sangria, water among themselves, and spread it among the people. The white color of the clothes acquire a purplish tone, and everyone soaked and smelling like wine, head up to the streets of the city center in order to find any bar or restaurant which have adequate the locals taking all the tables and chairs to have enough space for the people to dance and enjoy.

One of the most interesting and dangerous events of San Fermines is the running of the bulls, known as “encierros”.

Tomorrow the first encierro will begin at 8:00 a.m.  Each year, the encierros begin every morning starting July 7 at 8am and eventually finish July 14.

The bulls will be released and will start running through the old town’s streets for around 3 minutes until they reach the Plaza T.

The festivity ends every 14th of July at 24 hours, where people gather again in front of the city hall and light candles and sing a good bye song known as the “Pobre de mi”.

The Txupinazo is about to start and here is the program for today’s first day:

12:00 The Txupinazo. City Hall, there will be huge screens around the city to transmit the Txupinazo directly, for all the ones who cannot make it to the City Hall.

13:30 Folkloric Festival.

Afternoon:

16.30 Riau-riau. In the Cityhall Plaza

17.00 Gigantes y Cabezudos. This is an unusual and fun parade where the figures are called “Giants and Heady” by being really large in size and dimensions. The parade goes all around the Old Town.

18.00 Attractions for kids.

20.00 Vísperas Solemnes de San Fermín. In the San Fermin Chapel. An Orquesta known as the Sinfonic Orquesta of Navarre.

20.00 Terraza Rock & Wine. Funk Fatale vs. Göo!! And Dj.

Night

20.30 Caiman Show Orchestra until 23.00 hours.

20.30 Sinfonic Orchestra of the Valencian Comunity of Navarre.

22.00 Bull of Fire at The Plaza de Santiago.

23.00 Fire Works, at the Ciudadela Park.

23.30 Concert at the Plaza de los Fueros: Def con Dos y Arima Suta.

23.30 Vervain. Plaza de la Cruz. Orchestra Camaleón

00.00 Plaza del Castillo, Concert Iguana Tango.

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About the author

Estefania Herrera
I come from the half of the world, Ecuador. I am 22 and by leaving my country to study abroad in Spain, I've grown up as a person in an incredible way. Therefore I say, its good to experience new things, and get to know new cultures. But most importantly LiVe, lOvE and LaUgH.

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3 Comments for Pamplona Awakes, The Party Begins: The San Fermín Festival 2011

PamplonaMan

Gora Gora San Fermin!

Reply

Estefania Herrera

Gora San Fermin!! Greetings from the ToonariTeam Pamplona Man!

Reply



Estefania Herrera

¿Cómo se lo están pasando en Pamplona?

Reply