09 Jul San Fermín’s origins and other curiosities

This week, of course, in our Spanish courses in Strasbourg, we’ve been talking about one of the most famous and internationally renowned fiestas: the fiesta of San Fermin, better known as the Sanfermines.

The Fiesta de San Fermín, held annually in Pamplona, Navarre, is one of the best-known festivals in Spain and the world. The festival, which runs from 6 to 14 July, has its origins in the combination of religious traditions, bullfighting and popular festivities, creating a unique and dynamic mix that attracts thousands of visitors every year.

San Fermín is one of the best-known and most venerated saints, particularly in Pamplona, Spain, and Amiens, France. However, the story of San Fermín is a mixture of legend and popular devotion that has survived the centuries, despite the absence of concrete historical evidence.

According to tradition, San Fermín was born in the 3rd century, the son of Firmus, a Roman senator from Pamplona. He was converted to Christianity by Saint Saturninus, a French priest visiting the region. Fermin was sent to Toulouse, France, to train as a bishop, before returning to Pamplona to evangelise the inhabitants and rid them of their ancient pagan beliefs. He then returned to France, where he continued his mission of Christianisation in Aquitaine, Auvergne, Anjou and finally Amiens. There, according to legend, he converted thousands of pagans before being arrested, tortured and beheaded on 25 September.

The body of Saint Fermin was buried in secret and rediscovered in 615, when it was transferred to Amiens Cathedral, where it remains today. Although his body was dispersed among various relics, some of which can be found in Pamplona, devotion to San Fermín has endured and become an essential part of local culture.

Despite the richness of the legend, many historians consider that the story of San Fermín has no historical basis. The legend first appeared in Amiens in the 9th century and reached Pamplona in the 12th century. More recent research, such as the thesis by historian Roldán Jimeno, has confirmed that there is no historical proof of San Fermín’s existence. The Christianisation of Pamplona did not begin until the third century, and that of Amiens even later, which contradicts the traditional dates of the legend.

Despite historical doubts, San Fermín is at the centre of one of the world’s most famous fiestas: the Sanfermines. Held in Pamplona from 6 to 14 July, this festival includes the famous running of the bulls, in which participants run in front of the bulls through the streets of the city. This festival, which combines devotion and celebration, is known the world over and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

The current date of the celebration, July, has a more practical explanation. In 1591, the religious festivities in honour of San Fermín merged with the fairs and bullfights held in summer, when the climate was more favourable and participants could take part more comfortably. As a result, the festival was moved to July and has been held ever since.

The Chupinazo and the encierros

One of the most emblematic moments of San Fermín is the “Chupinazo“, the rocket launched from the balcony of Pamplona Town Hall at midday on 6 July, which marks the official start of the fiesta. This event brings together thousands of people dressed in the traditional white garb and red scarves, creating an atmosphere of joy and anticipation.

The running of the bulls is undoubtedly the most famous and eagerly awaited event of the fiestas. It is a race of around 800 metres through the streets of Pamplona’s old quarter, where participants run in front of the bulls until they reach the bullring. The running of the bulls takes place every morning from 7 to 14 July, starting at 8am. The event has its origins in the practical need to move the bulls from the corrals to the bullring, but over time it has become a tradition full of adrenaline and risk.

The encierros originated in the practical need to move the bulls from the corrales outside the town to the bullring. During the journey, which was originally guided by shepherds, young men began running in front of the bulls as an act of bravery. Over time, this practice became institutionalised and became the central event of the festivities.

One of the many attractions of San Fermín is the figure of “San Fermín”, an image of the saint that is carried in a procession on 7 July. The procession is a religious event that contrasts with the festive and noisy atmosphere of the rest of the celebrations, showing the duality of the festival.

Another curiosity is the “Comparsa de Gigantes y Cabezudos”, a tradition dating back to the 19th century. These giants, representing different continents and historical figures, parade through the streets accompanied by “cabezudos” and “kilikis”, characters who interact with the public, especially children.

The celebration also includes cultural, sporting and gastronomic events. From concerts and dance performances to Basque pelota competitions and tastings of Navarre’s rich gastronomy, San Fermín offers a variety of activities to suit all tastes.

It is more difficult to determine the origin of the “official” San Fermín costume, which is white with a red scarf, a belt of the same colour and espadrilles. It is thought that this tradition began in 1931 with the working-class peña “La Veleta”, which sought to distinguish itself from the others and opted for a cheap, flashy uniform.

The San Fermín festival has evolved considerably since its beginnings. Originally, the festival was eminently religious and local in character. Over the years, the incorporation of bullfights and trade fairs broadened its appeal, and people from all over Spain began to attend.

The publication of Ernest Hemingway’s Fiesta in 1926 marked a turning point in the internationalisation of San Fermín. The novel, which recounts the experiences of a group of American and British expatriates in Pamplona during the festivities, captured the essence and spirit of San Fermín, drawing worldwide attention to the celebration. Hemingway, a bullfighting enthusiast, described in detail the running of the bulls and the nightlife, which led to a significant increase in the number of international visitors from the 1950s onwards.

Source: https://www.sanfermin.com/es/

Over the years, the festival has been marked by countless anecdotes and remarkable events. For example, the fastest bull run ever recorded took place in 2015, when the bulls completed the course in just 2 minutes and 5 seconds. In contrast, the longest bull run took place in 1959, when it lasted almost 30 minutes due to the disorientation of one of the bulls, which fell considerably behind schedule.

Another notable aspect is the strong presence of the peñas, groups of friends who organise themselves to take an active part in the festivities. These peñas not only encourage the running of the bulls and the bullfights, they also organise parades and musical events, making a significant contribution to the festive atmosphere of San Fermín.

In addition, safety during bullfights has improved over time. Although it is still a dangerous activity, with an average of 50-100 injuries per year, safety measures and the experience of runners have reduced the number of serious incidents. The last recorded death in a bullfight was in 2009, when a Spanish runner was gored in the neck.

San Fermín is not only a festival of great cultural importance for Navarre and Spain, it is also a major economic driver for Pamplona. Every year, the city welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors, which has a major economic impact on sectors such as the hotel and restaurant trade and local businesses. Hotel bookings are made months in advance, and during the week of the festivities, the hotel occupancy rate is usually 100%.

The festival has been criticised by animal rights organisations, who condemn the mistreatment of bulls during the running of the bulls and bullfights. However, many defenders of the tradition maintain that bullfighting is an integral part of Spanish culture and the San Fermín festivities.

If you want more, here’s a link to more images from this international festival:

In pictures: twenty years of San Fermín fiestas in Pamplona