At the beginning of July the party in Pamplona. The "chupinazo", the rocket that officially gives way to the Sanfermines, the festivities in honor of San Fermin Pamplona's co-patrono, inaugurating a massive and crackling program. In Pamplona everything is already ready to give for the new year thrills, fun, entertainment, to all tourists who from all over the world rushed to live as protagonists the energy of the festivities.
Processions, parades, songs, dances, great wine and tasty pinchos: Sanfermines are an opportunity to visit Pamplona in its moment of maximum vitality, even for those who are not passionate about bulls. For the fanatics instead of the encierro, the appointment is set for the 8 in point of each morning from 6 to 14 July with the electrifying race of men and bulls, which crosses a path of 850 m and then flows into the Plaza de Toros.
The Tor Racei is but an aspect of the true feast, even if the worshipers of the tauromachia give to the race of the encierro the preponderant role in Sanfermines. The Fiesta told by Hemingway in his 1926 novel, has the main character of the road; that place where in a vibrant moment, they live religious and profane ceremonies, the archaic cult of the challenge and so much good food.
From Pamplona to Tudela, the different representations of the encierro vary in style and collective rituals, but are united by strong emotion that they can arouse. A few minutes of pure adrenaline: if for some it is time to test their courage, for many it is a great opportunity to know the culture and folklore of the cities and the Navarre region.
Under the aegis of flags, gonfaloni and large saddle of strictly white and red handkerchiefs, next six July at noon the burst of chupinazo from the balcony of the municipal palace of Pamplona will mark, as usual, the beginning of the festivities.
Tradition wants that every morning, for nine consecutive days up to 14 July, from the courtyard of Santo Domingo six bulls along the encierro, the 800-metre route that winds along the streets of the center.
To 'scortarli' running up to the 'Plaza de Toros' for the afternoon corridor, hundreds of intrepid citizens and tourists caught in the euphoria of this crowd and what never festive proof of courage.
A contour of this highly anticipated event, shows for all tastes and every kind of audience animate the city at any time of day and evening: from the euphoria of the race, to the solemn rhythms of the sacred procession, from the parades of the Gigantes and the Cabezudos for the smallest to the singular procession of knights of Las mulillas.
"My kingdom for a balcony." If you races of bulls passionate, but you do not want to live in the street the thrill of the crazy "carrera", there is an exciting but safe alternative to enjoy the exciting folkloric moment of the encierro.
It is possible to book and occupy a place on one of the balconies overlooking the encircle and so watch the show a few meters from the street but at a safe distance!! The agency Incoming Navarra (www.incomingnavarra.com) offers various packages (from standard to deluxe), which also include "the balcony" and a fun brunch to follow in an exclusive location: the Casino located in the Plaza del Castillo. There is also a balcony with no hotel, but with breakfast, brunch and Pamplona guided tour.
