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Bull-running festival flagged off in Spain
Tens of thousands of people crowded into Pamplona's main square on Sunday to celebrate the launching of a rocket that each year marks the beginning of Spain's most famous bull-running festival.
- AP
- Published: 00:02 July 7, 2008
- Image Credit: AP
- The Los San Fermines festival, held since 1591, attracts tens of thousands of foreign visitors each year.
Pamplona: Tens of thousands of people crowded into Pamplona's main square on Sunday to celebrate the launching of a rocket that each year marks the beginning of Spain's most famous bull-running festival.
"Men and women of Pamplona, all hail to San Fermin," town councilor Uxe Barkos said from a balcony overlooking the crowd before lighting the fuse, signalling the beginning of nine days of uninterrupted festivities in the northern town.
The San Fermin festival is known around the world for its running of the bulls. The mood and tradition was made famous in 1926 by Ernest Hemingway in his novel The Sun Also Rises.
Stephanie Degonda, 21, of Minnesota, had come for the first time. "It's incredible, I've never seen anything like it in my life," she said.
Anna Stampy, 22, had travelled halfway around the world from Brisbane to see the festivities first hand for the first time.
"I love it. I'd heard a lot about it but seeing it in person is truly moving," Stampy said, swigging a bottle of beer.
Marcelo Ledesma, 28, from Asuncion, Paraguay, was also taken aback. "Everyone is drunk, it's impressive," he said.
The first bull run is due to take place tomorrow, an event repeated daily until July 14, and all are broadcast nationwide on state television.
Each run takes place at 8 am local time, testing the skills and courage of participants, who must race alongside six fearsome fighting bulls along 800 metres of narrow, cobblestone streets linking the city's stables to the bullring.
On the afternoon of each day, the bulls must face matadors in the ring.
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