Sanfermines return to Pamplona, received by thousands of people eager to party

USPA NEWS - Impossible to calculate the number. Thousands of people gathered this Wednesday at noon in Pamplona's Town Hall square to attend the launch of the rocket – the traditional 'chupinazo' – with which the San Fermín festivities begin. After two years of waiting, in which the Sanfermines were not celebrated due to the pandemic, there was desire in the hearts of the people of Pamplona, who will enjoy their most special festivities for nine days.

Not only the Pamplona's Town Hall square, but also the streets that lead to it were packed with people from hours before noon, to attend their recovered Sanfermines. As tradition dictates, with the red handkerchiefs - symbol of the festivities - in hand because they can only be tied around the neck when the 'chupinazo' has been launched and the explosion of the rocket announces to all of Pamplona that the festivities have begun.

This year, the person in charge of launching the rocket was the former Navarrese footballer and coach Juan Carlos Unzué. Excited, he dedicated the 'chupinazo' to "all the health workers and people who have helped us during the pandemic" and also "to all patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis." He himself is sick with ALS, a degenerative disease of the nervous system that requires social visibility. His dedications, which preceded the traditional “¡Viva San Fermín!” and “¡Gora San Fermín!”, in Spanish and Basque, were applauded by the thousands of people gathered in the Pamplona's Town Hall square and in the surrounding streets. More than 12,500 in the square, which measures 2,500 square meters, and an unknown number in the surrounding streets.

San Fermín has returned, as always, on the eve of the patron saint. This Thursday the first Encierro will be run and, at noon, the procession of the saint will be held, departing from the Pamplona cathedral. The City Council of the Navarran capital has reformed the corrals where the bulls that will be fought in the afternoon await their transfer to the plaza de toros. They will do it by running after the young men who incite them with folded newspapers, trying to avoid being caught by the bulls, sheltered by the meek ones who direct them all the way.

In the year of the reunion, the Sanfermines will be celebrated this year with more than 500 activities throughout the city. But the most important thing is that, now free of the masks, the people of Pamplona will pack the bars and fill the streets day and night. Because Pamplona does not sleep during the Sanfermines. The most international Spanish festivities attract tourists from all over the world, especially Americans eager to enjoy and run in front of the bulls in the Encierros.