The famed bull-run festival of Spain is back this year after a pandemic-induced break of two years

The famed San Fermin bull-run festival, celebrated in Pamplona, Spain, is back after two long years due to the pandemic. The start of the festival was marked by lighting up the traditional 'chupinazo', a firework that heralds the festivities. The firework was lit up in Pamplona, much to the delight of revellers who celebrated the launch. The former soccer player Juan Carlos Unzue lit up the rocket from the town hall's balcony. He dedicated the firework to health workers and other people who helped during the pandemic and those with ALS.

Though it was raining, the crowd thronged the town hall square for the 'chupinazo' event. They were all dressed in the traditional attire of the festival – white shirt, white pants, red neckerchiefs and red sash. After the firework, they kept spraying one another with red wine to celebrate.

The festival's main attraction is the 'encierros' or early morning bull runs. The festival starts on Thursday and will last for nine days. In the 'encierros', interested adventure seekers would run and scramble to avoid being hit by an oncoming herd of six bulls. The participants run to the city's bullring, following a winding and cobbled route to save themselves. Spectators gather around buildings and behind wooden barricades to watch the mad scramble. After the bull run, people enjoy themselves throughout the day by drinking, eating, dancing and enjoying different cultural festivals.


Ernst Hemingway published a novel, 'The Sun Also Rises' in 1926, discussing this Pamplona festival. Post the novel's success, the festival became one of the major attractions for tourists. Since the Spanish Civil War in 1930, the festival has been celebrated annually till 2020. In 2020 and 2021, it was suspended due to the pandemic.

While Pamplona's population is around 200,000, it grows to about a million on peak festival days and weekends when tourists throng the city to participate.

While the festival is kickstarting, Pamplona's Mayor, Enrique Maya, expressed worry fearing that things might go out of hand. Pamplona's officials have warned people to remember that the pandemic is not yet over, and they should follow safety norms.