The data of the bullranches for the running of the bulls of Sanfermin 2023

The Casa de Misericordia has communicated through the bullfighting commission that it has completed the contracting of the farms for the next one and has announced the farms that will participate in the 2023 Bull Fair . Therefore, we already know the herds for the running of the bulls of San Fermín 2023 . The farms that will star in the running of the bulls and bullfights next year are: Miura , from Lora del Río, Seville; Victoriano del Río , from Guadalix de la Sierra, Madrid; Heirs of José Cebada Gago , from Medina Sidonia, Cádiz; Jandilla , from Merida, Badajoz; José Escolar Gil, from Lanzahíta, Ávila; Nunez del Cuvillo, from Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz; Fuente Ymbro , from San José del Valle, Cádiz; and La Palmosilla , from Tarifa, Cádiz.

In addition, for the corrida de rejones, burels from El Capea-Carmen Lorenzo, from San Pelayo de la Guareña, Salamanca; and for the bullfight, cattle from the Pincha Ganadería , from Lodosa, Navarra.

The most outstanding data of the confinement to be able to compare.

  • The fastest running of the bulls in the modern history of the Sanfermines was held on 07/14/2015 with 2’05” with Miura bulls.
  • The running of the bulls with the most gorings was held on 07/12/2004 with jandilla bulls and eight registered gorings.
  • In the last four editions of Sanfermin, 58,136 people have run the running of the bulls -according to the Pamplona City Council-. 24 people have been gored, representing 0.041% of the total.
  • The slowest running of the bulls in San Fermín was held on 07/09/2002, with bulls from Santiago Domecq and lasted up to 11’57”.
  • Cebada Gago is the 1st cattle farm that has left the most gorings (59 in total).
  • Miura is the 1st farm that has left the most injuries due to trauma (199 in total).
  • Miura is the 1st cattle farm that caused the most injuries (219 in total).
  • El Callejón is the section with the most gorings: 67 , (22.48% of the total).
  • The Town Hall is the section with fewer gorings: 24, (8.05% of the total).
  • Cebada Gago is the farm that has left the most gorings in Santo Domingo (11 in 47 bull runs).
  • Cebada Gago is the cattle ranch that has left the most gorings in City Hall (4 in 47 bull runs).
  • Jandilla is the cattle ranch that has left the most gorings in Mercaderes (6 in 47 bull runs).
  • Cebada Gago is the farm that has left the most gorings in Estafeta (15 in 47 bull runs).
  • Cebada Gago is the cattle ranch that has left the most gorings in Telefónica (8 in 47 confinements).
  • Cebada Gago is the ranch that has left the most gorings in Callejón (16 in 47 confinements).

The data of the bullranches for the running of the bulls of San Fermín 2023

The bulls that will participate in the Sanfermin 2023 festivities have starred in the last two editions of the festivities and already leave us data that we want to share in case it allows us to obtain any clues that will serve as an advantage for those who decide to accompany the burels through the streets of Pamplona on next years. If you want to see the running of the bulls, you already have the balconies available to watch the running of the bulls in the Sanfermin.com online store .

MIURA

Image by Natalia Gomez. Sanfermin 2022
  • Miura has participated in 40 running of the bulls in the modern history of Sanfermin. Five sanfermines could be held in a row to match the number of Miura bulls that have roamed the streets of Pamplona.
  • Miura ‘s last race in Pamplona was completed in 2’12?, marking the 4th fastest running of the bulls in the history of Sanfermin . In addition, it was the fastest running of the bulls held on a Thursday.
  • In 40 participations, Miura has left 20 gorings (0.5 per confinement).
  • Miura is the 5th stud farm that has left the most gorings (20 in total).
  • The Miura bulls have left gorings in 12 of 40 races.
  • Miura is the 1st cattle farm that has left the most injuries due to trauma (199 in total).
  • Miura is the 1st cattle farm that causes the most injuries (219 in total).
  • Of Miura’s 40 running of the bulls in Sanfermín, this was the 4th with the shortest duration (2’12»).
  • Mercaderes is the section where Miura has left the most gorings (5 in 40 running of the bulls).
  • Ayuntamiento is the section where Miura has left the least gored (1 in 40 running of the bulls).

VICTORIANO DEL RÍO

Image by Monica Sarasa. Sanfermin 2022
  • 11 Participations in the running of the bulls in Pamplona.
  • The Victoriano del Río bulls ran through the streets of Pamplona at Sanfermin in 2022 in 2’13¨, equaling the record for this ranch established in the running of the bulls on 07/12/2016 .
  • The slowest running of the bulls in Victoriano del Río was recorded on 07/09/2014 (3’23») .
  • The Victoriano del Río bulls are not among the ten fastest Sanfermin herds, but they are in 12th position , precisely with two races at 2’13?.
  • In 11 participations, Victoriano del Rio has left 5 gorings (0.45 per confinement) and is in thirteenth position in the ranking of the most dangerous herds based on recorded gorings.
  • Victoriano del Rio is the 18th farm with the highest average number of injuries due to trauma (4.64 per confinement).
  • Telefónica is the section where Victoriano del Rio has left the most gorings (3 in 11 running of the bulls).

CEBADA GAGO

Image by Javier Mutilva.
  • Cebada Gago has participated in 32 running of the bulls in San Fermín.
  • The Cebada Gago bulls completed their last running of the bulls on July 11, 2022 in 3’06? and left three three gorings .
  • In 32 participations Cebada Gago has left 59 gored (1.84 per confinement).
  • Cebada Gago is the 1st cattle farm that has left the most gorings (59 in total).
  • Cebada Gago is the 6th ranch with the highest goring average (1.84 per confinement).
  • Of 32 participations, Cebada Gago has left gorings in 21 running of the bulls.
  • Cebada Gago is the 2nd cattle farm that has left the most injuries due to trauma (130 in total).
  • Cebada Gago is the 2nd cattle ranch that causes the most injuries (189 in total).
  • Cebada Gago is the farm that has left the most gorings in Santo Domingo (11 in 47 bull runs).
  • Cebada Gago is the cattle ranch that has left the most gorings in City Hall (4 in 47 bull runs).
  • Cebada Gago is the farm that has left the most gorings in Estafeta (15 in 47 bull runs).
  • Cebada Gago is the cattle ranch that has left the most gorings in Telefónica (8 in 47 confinements).
  • Cebada Gago is the ranch that has left the most gorings in Callejón (16 in 47 confinements).
  • Callejón is the section where Cebada Gago has left the most gorings (16 in 32 running of the bulls).
  • Mercaderes is the section where Cebada Gago has left the least gored (3 in 32 bull runs).

JANDILLA

Image by Javier Mutilva
  • Jandilla has participated in 21 encierros in the modern era of encierros.
  • Jandilla’s last running of the bulls in Pamplona, ??on July 12, 2022, was the fastest of this herd with 2’13?.
  • Jandilla’s slowest running of the bulls was the one on 07/11/2005, which lasted 5’33”.
  • In 21 participations Jandilla has left 32 gored (1.52 per confinement).
  • Jandilla is the 2nd cattle ranch that has left the most gorings (32 in total).
  • Jandilla is the 9th ranch with the highest goring average (1.52 per encierro).
  • In 21 participations, it is the 11th time that Jandilla has been gored.
  • Jandilla is the 3rd cattle ranch that has left the most injuries due to trauma (117 in total).
  • Jandilla is the 3rd cattle ranch that causes the most injuries (149 in total).
  • Callejón is the section where Jandilla has left the most gorings (10 in 21 confinements).
  • Jandilla is the cattle ranch that has left the most gorings in Mercaderes (6 in 47 bull runs).
  • Estafeta is the stretch where Jandilla has left the least gored (2 in 21 running of the bulls).

JOSÉ ESCOLAR

Image by Miguel Fernandez. Sanfermin 2022
  • José Escolar’s cattle farm has participated six times in the Sanfermin running of the bulls.
  • No bull from José Escolar returned , as they did in 2016, 2016 and 2017.
  • Santo Domingo is the stretch where Jose Escolar has left the most gorings (2 in 6 running of the bulls).
  • Of the 6 running of the bulls by Jose Escolar in Sanfermín, the fastest was held on 07/09/2019 in 2’13”.
  • Of the 6 running of the bulls by Jose Escolar in Sanfermín, the slowest was held on 07/08/2017, completed in 4’03”.
  • In 6 participations, Jose Escolar has left 10 gorings (1.67 per confinement).
  • Jose Escolar is the 9th stud farm that has left the most gorings (10 in total).
  • Jose Escolar is the 8th stud farm with the highest goring average (1.67 per encierro).
  • In 6 participations it is the 4th time that Jose Escolar leaves gored.
  • In 6 participations, Jose Escolar has left 38 injured due to trauma (6.33 due to confinement).
  • Jose Escolar is the 6th stud farm with the highest average number of injuries due to trauma (6.33 per confinement).
  • In 6 participations Jose Escolar has left 48 injured (8 due to confinement).
  • Jose Escolar is the 3rd ranch with the highest average number of injuries (8 per confinement).

NUNEZ DEL CUVILLO

Image of Juan Ignacio Delgado
  • The Núñez del Cuvillo cattle farm has participated 11 times in the Sanfermin running of the bulls.
  • In 11 participations Nunez del Cuvillo has left 11 gored (1 by confinement).
  • Nunez del Cuvillo is the 8th stud farm that has left the most gorings (11 in total).
  • Nunez del Cuvillo is the 14th stud farm with the highest goring rate (1 per confinement).
  • In 11 participations it is the 5th time that Nunez del Cuvillo has not been gored.
  • Nunez del Cuvillo is the 6th cattle farm that has left the most injuries due to trauma (55 in total).
  • Nunez del Cuvillo is the 6th cattle ranch that causes the most injuries (66 in total).
  • Of the 11 running of the bulls for Nunez del Cuvillo in Sanfermín, this was the 8th longest (2’25”). The slowest was 07/09/2004 (4’4»).
  • Santo Domingo is the section where Nunez del Cuvillo has left the most gorings (6 in 11 confinements) .

FUENTE YMBRO

Image by Manuel Corera
  • The Fuente Ymbro cattle ranch Fuente Ymbro has participated 15 times in the Sanfermin running of the bulls.
  • In 15 participations Fuente Ymbro has left 5 gorings (0.33 per bull run).
  • In 15 participations it is the 11th time that Fuente Ymbro has not been gored.
  • Fuente Ymbro is the 5th farm with the most injuries due to trauma (67 in total).
  • Fuente Ymbro is the 5th most injured cattle farm (72 in total).
  • The fastest encierro of Fuente Ymbro was the one on 07/10/2018 completed in 2’10”.
  • The slowest encierro of Fuente Ymbro ran on 07/09/2010, completed in 6’23”.
  • Estafeta is the section where Fuente Ymbro has left the most gorings (3 in 15 running of the bulls).

LA PALMOSILLA

Image by Javier Ibañez
  • In 2 participations, La Palmosilla has never been gored.
  • In 2 participations La Palmosilla has left 8 injured by trauma (4 by confinement).
  • Of the 2 running of the bulls at La Palmosilla in Sanfermín, the fastest was on 07/13/2019, which lasted 2’12”.

Online reservations trust that Sanfermin 2022 will be held

Balcony rental reservations to see the 2022 Sanfermin running of the bulls and apartment reservations for next July show that those who make them trust that the festivities will be held in 144 days . The apartments for rent available for the month of July in Pamplona through the Airbnb platform are diminishing rapidly as if it were certain that Sanfermin 2022 will be celebrated. The offer is scarce for those dates and if we look at the first ten «superhosts» of Airbnb in the old town, all have reserved the dates that would correspond to the Sanfermin 2022 festivities. What remains now are apartments recently uploaded to the platform, with a higher price or far from the city center.

We wanted to interpret that those who prepare their trip with time trust that the next Sanfermines in 2022 will be celebrated and that is why these reservations are being made. According to the clauses of the contract of the rental platform, if the party is suspended, in most cases, all the money is returned or a minimum management fee is generally withheld. On Airbnb and other similar platforms, you can clearly see by moving to the July dates that from the 5th to the 14th the dates already reserved by other clients in Pamplona predominate. They are the dates of Sanfermin.

According to data from the tourist platform Sanfermin by Locals , which has been renting out balconies for the running of the bulls through Sanfermin.com for twelve years , reservations to see the running of the bulls are arriving as if it were a normal year on these dates. In January and February there have been reservations from countries that have a habit of anticipating and securing places because they come from farther away; In March it is common for companies that celebrate the incentives taking advantage of Sanfermin and that rent balconies for the Sanfermin running of the bulls to reserve balconies to watch the running of the bulls. After Easter, the reservations of national travelers who decide later take place, although the best sites are usually no longer available.

Alquiler de balcones en el encierro de Sanfermines. A balcony to watch the running of the bulls 2017La Estafeta desde un balcón. alzugaray.es

Rental of balconies for the running of the bulls in good gear and the running of the bulls as a Valentine’s gift

Mikel Ollo, from Sanfermin by Locals, tells us that the reservation of balconies for the Sanfermin 2022 running of the bulls is going on as if it were a normal year. « We cannot guarantee that Sanfermin can be celebrated. It will depend on health criteria, but given the current situation there are those who decide to go ahead because there is a great desire to celebrate San Fermín again. There is a nuance in the reservations, such as the fact that people who attended in 2019 are taking part in some of the reservations again in figures above the average,” says Ollo.

This sector has had a very bad time with the pandemic and hopes to recover with the return of the parties and confinements. “It has been a very hard time for tour guides. Going back to normality is what we want in the guild. This week I have felt that tingling again with a reservation from a boy from Madrid who has given his girlfriend a reservation for Valentine’s Day for the running of the bulls on July 7 “, says Mikel Ollo. (Smells like a request. Editorial note)

Most of the reservations are made online from specialized platforms such as Sanfermin.com and others. The conditions of service change and it is good to make sure, but those carried out with regulated tour guides such as Mikel Ollo, allow favorable conditions for the user in case of cancellation.

Se puede ver a Mikel Ollo preparándose una copa de champán en un balcón donde se adivina que está muy cerca del balcón donde se lanza el chupinazo de San FerminMikel Ollo, from Sanfermin by Locals on one of the balconies that is rented for the Sanfermin Chupinazo.

Se ve a Luis Azanza charlando animadamente con tres fotógrafos más entre los que se identifica a Javier Sesma de Diario de Navarra. Es una charla en la inauguración de la exposición Universo Sf de julio de 2019.

Photographer Luis Azanza leaves us

Luis Azanza, the magnificent photographer with the cap, has died in Pamplona at night. The loss of him leaves us afflicted with him because we have shared many good San Fermin moments with him and with his people and we had a lot of affection for him and his work. His photographs gave meaning to the first Sanfermin bull runs and festivals that this website covered. He accompanied us with the images of him for a few essential years. We have a magnificent legacy of photographs from San Fermin that will allow us to remember it forever. Rest in peace.

Since 2008 Luis Azanza was the founder of Aloa Comunicación and expanded his knowledge to other techniques such as video and animation, successfully developing works for different companies and initiatives. As a current affairs photographer, his work for El País newspaper was significant, where he also made portraits that have left their mark, such as those made for Karmentxu Marín’s articles.

SF universe

Universo SF was an exhibition that in July 2019 perfectly and with great pleasure summarized Luis Azanza’s vision of the party. This work belongs to his photographic essays, among which were also up to six outstanding works. In this video from amplonatelevision.es we can take a look back at that moment and listen to Luis’ own words.

We have been able to see Luis Azanza’s Sanfermin photographs in the main capitals of the country because he had a special ability to collect those moments that confinement offers you if you know where to look. Beyond the confinement, Luis’s work has become immense in actuality and artistic work, such as the exhibition «Minimal Instances» that was held at the Contraluz Gallery of the Agrupación Fotográfica y Cinematográfica de Navarra in 2009.

We recover these two images to remember: in the first, one of the few without a cap, corresponds to a course taught by Jean Dieuzaide at the Navarra Photographic and Cinematographic Group in 1985 where we can see him together with Koldo Chamorro, Mikel Goñi, Juan Ignacio Delgado and others.

Imagen de un grupo de fotógrafos junto a Jean Dieuzaide que impartió un curso sobre fotografía de reportaje en pamplona en 1985. podemos ver a Mikel Goñi, Koldo Chamorro y Juan Ignacio Delgado, entre otros.

The second image helps us to recover a moment of those typical of a photographer in San Fermín. We see Luis Azanza dodging the bull of fire with the characteristic posture of reserving the chamber of sparks.

Luis Azanza huye cámara en mano de un espectacular toro de fuego en plenos sanfermines
Photo by MIkel Lasa

The running of the bulls and Luis Azanza

The confinement had few secrets for Luis Azanza but he worked with the pressure of having to comply with the pages of El País every day. His choice of the opportune moments and the mastery of the technique made him a reference in the photography of the confinement forever. We have rescued a selection of images published on sanfermin.com that make this statement clear.

Un toro engancha de la camiseta a una corredora en el encierro de sanfermin del 12 de julio de 2010.
Luis Azanza. July 12, 2010. Victoriano del Río.
Toro enfilando la curva de la estafeta y un mozo a cuatro patas sobre el suelo anuncia una posible tragedia
Luis Azanza. July 11, 2010. Toros de Miura..
Varios mozos caen sobre un toro que había perdido las manos en Estafeta.
Luis Azanza. Cebada gago. 9 de julio de 2012.

Biography of Luis Azanza
AFCN text.

Luis Azanza, entered the world of photography at the age of 16 in a self-taught way, looking for a form of expression that reflected the aesthetic and social transformation that the country was experiencing. Already in the 1980s he began working as a photojournalist in national and regional media, such as El Día, Diario 16, Cambio 16, El País, Diario Vasco, Deia, etc. He has also published in foreign newspapers and magazines such as Le monde and Público (Lisbon).

An independent profession that extends to the present day and that has opened up to corporate, industrial, advertising and illustration photography. At the same time, he has been developing personal work that allows him greater creative freedom and experimenting with different techniques, some that go back to the origins of photography as pinhole photography. The objective is to continue exploring the complexity of the image, without forgetting that it is a language and that as such, it has a grammar that must be known in order to break it.

His works have been exhibited in New Generation Contrasts (150th Anniversary of the otography, 1988); 11 Graphic reporters (New Image Gallery, 1990); Fotopress (1991); La Cubana in festivals (Castillo de Olite, 1992); 16 Years of Photojournalism (Círculo de Bellas Artes, 1993); International Journalistic Contest San Fermín 1992 (Exhibition 1994); 25 years of Iruña (1995); 25 years

encierro de Authi, Pamplona 1972 Cuesta de Santo Domingo

The running with the bulls of Authi MG Morris

This unique image corresponds to an advertisement by Authi to promote the models that were assembled in Pamplona until 1972 from its opening in 1969. The photograph is from that year although the factory operated until 1976 and was the germ of the current Volkswagen factory Navarre. In the image we can see the cars that came out of Authi until that year as they were: the Morris 1100 Traveler, Mini 1275 C, Morris 1300, Mini 850 ADO-15, Mini ADO-20 and the Mini 1275 GT.

The photograph is taken with a long exposure time that allowed the runners to be blurred and the cars that were standing still perfectly visible. As we can see, the vehicles are without a driver, since the campaign was intended for the specialized press. The image has been rescued by Ramón Ansoáin. This image corresponds to one of the first events that took advantage of the effect of the confinement for advertising.

 

Running with the bulls with Authi Cars, Pamplona 1972 Santo Domingo Street.

Update June 2022.

The BMW dealer Lurauto has organized a running of the bulls called “Sanfermini” which has brought together several electric “minis” recreating a complete running of the bulls with this type of car.

Imagen del chupinazo de san fermin lleno de gente y con los gaiteros saliendo del ayuntamiento

Essence

“The essence of pleasure is spontaneity.”  

Germaine Greer.

 

At the end of the encierro in Pamplona the adrenalin’s edge softens and the sense of relief, satisfaction, fulfilment and even disappointment takes its place.  At the same time, amid the Kaiku y cognacs, coffees and conversation, thoughts turn towards breakfast.

There was a time when groups of runners would take the short stroll down Plaza del Castillo, crossing Estafeta and up to Calle de la Merced where they would find a few spare benches outside La Raspa and sit down.  The crowd would vary day to day but ultimately it would be a relaxed affair where a group of friends could eat a simple breakfast, share a few bottles of tinto with gaseosa and chat away in a mood of contented camaraderie.  The odd jota would meanwhile float over from a nearby table. It was always the perfect way to ease into the day and to transition between the drama of the encierro and the rhythm of fiesta.

Not now.

Now the tables are all reserved: booked up in advance for the “right people” and the impromptu breakfast has been replaced by a stage-managed event.  The very concept of spontaneity has been sacrificed because the breakfast “event” is so popular that everyone wants to join in. Everyone wants a piece of the action and to be seen to be there.  When the essence of a thing vanishes what is left is an artificial facsimile of the original.

We have seen it before in so many ways.  If you have ever dreamed of visiting a famous monument or notoriously beautiful site then you will be aware that the truth does not match the dream.  That amazing view across to Niagra Falls, across the Grand Canyon or up The Mall to Buckingham Palace is not something you can enjoy in the way you imagined.  This is because of the sheer mass of humanity getting in the way of the view. The forest of selfie sticks, or ego poles as someone else has described them, has to be waded through and any photograph has to be captured in that split second when a group of Japanese tourists, British schoolchildren or American coach tour is not right in the optimal place.

Popular sites are popular for a reason – people believe they are worth seeing “in the flesh”.  Their essence is something that is worth enjoying in person. Yet in doing so we end up killing them through popularity.  Pumphrey described it as the “devil’s bargain”, and that experience is greatly diminished not just because it has to be shared with dozens of Antipodean backpackers but because that sense of intimacy, that personal connection, is compromised.

It is very easy to leap up and blame the very modern phenomenon of social media for much of this.  After all the attitude that drives so many of us to share our lives with the rest of the world has found a natural home in the digital age.  Not only that but there is an accompanying theme of the need to prove how amazing our lives are while sharing them with the world. As a result the selfie stick pervades and every visit to a famous monument or site has to be captured as evidence not only that we were there, but that we were having the most amazing time while we were at it.

Yet it wouldn’t be fair to blame this solely on the rise of social media.  As long as humans have been able to travel for leisure and been able to share that experience so the complaints of over-crowding and spoiling have existed.

The famous European Grand Tour was an expected trip for wealthier members of British society, particularly between the 17th and 19th centuries.  Yet even as far back as then there were complaints that the circuit was getting too crowded and too rowdy.  As Professor Kathleen Burke writes; “The undisciplined and sometimes violent behaviour of young Englishmen was often commented upon; certainly, for the staff of British embassies abroad, the activities of English visitors, ‘each vying with the other who should be the wildest and most eccentric’, were a major preoccupation. ‘Even Russians were impressed by the cohorts of wild English youth they found in the cities of western Europe.’”

Hemingway too acknowledged the down side to the popularity of something so beloved.  “Pamplona was rough, as always, overcrowded… I’ve written Pamplona once, and for keeps. It is all there, as it always was, except forty thousand tourists have been added. There were not twenty tourists when I first went there… four decades ago.”

Social media has merely exacerbated this and contributed to it on a global level.  Take a trip to San Sebastián, home of the most wonderful pintxos and tapas, and you will see what popularity has done to this culture.  The principle of tapas, how tapas traditionally works in Spanish towns and cities, has been erased. In its place there is a much more stage-managed, tourist-friendly version where the bars do not want people to pop in for a mini and a single pintxo.  Now they hand you a plate and encourage you to stay long and spend deep in order to keep the cash registers ringing. (This is not to denigrate the gastronomy of San Sebastián, which is outstanding).

This is not how tapas works elsewhere, but San Sebastián has become popular on a mercurial scale.  When this happens a critical mass is reached and something has to give. As Hassan Bougrine points out; “…the essence of the capitalist economy is the need to ‘make money’.”  No wonder that tradition is distorted. Though perhaps some would say that it is actually more positive – an evolution that gives the customers what they want. Given that a high proportion of those present in the Basque city are foreign travellers, that evolution to ‘Tapas Tourism’ is not surprising.

The intense beauty of Cornish fishing villages is such an allure that those with enough income have been buying holiday homes there for many years.  This has had such a negative impact on the communities, effectively destroying the villages outside the holiday seasons, that bans on purchasing second homes now exist in a number of Cornish locations.

The essence of a thing is so fragile, so precious and so difficult to grasp that when we reach for it, it vanishes.  Like grasping a handful of sand on the beach, the tighter we hold on the less we are able to keep a grip on it and the sooner it slips through our fingers and is gone.  We rarely aim to destroy the essence of a thing intentionally, we merely realise that it has happened almost by stealth and the truth of our impact has crept up on us, seemingly out of nowhere.  Yet, destroy the essence of something we most certainly do.

With something fragile and something so desirable the answer, surely, is to handle with care.  We want to reach out and grasp something that shines and yet, like ice crystals, the very touch itself can destroy the thing.  In this case it must be wiser to enjoy a thing in the moment and be prepared to walk away, to change and to sacrifice the very thing we love so as not to destroy it.  This is not easy for, in the moment, we are normally overtaken by the desire to sink ourselves into the experience. Similarly we often destroy one small cut at a time and may not recognise it until it is too late.

Surely as soon as we feel a thing we love is at risk of being stage-managed or that its essence has been compromised or killed by popularity we should be prepared to walk away.  Perhaps we should even be prepared to walk away long before then. Take the post-encierro breakfast as an example. If we attend every single day are we expecting too much from it?  Are we forcing the fun to fulfil an expectation or are we merely contributing to the destruction of its essence. Once something becomes routine it is no longer special.

That is not to say that such things should cease and many people find enjoyment in routine.  Some would even claim that they are able to hold onto the essence of something even when it is a routine.

One of the most common complaints is that the encierro has been destroyed through being too popular.  Complainants point to the crowded streets and the high proliferation of non-Spanish runners (estimated to be 45% in 2017) as contributing factors.  Talk to any “old timer” and they will generally yearn for a time when the streets were quieter, when you had space to run and when you could actually see the bulls.  The essence of the encierro has gone, replaced by backpackers, beginners and wishful thinking.

The evidence does not totally support this view.

The encierro has been popular for a very long time and crowding is most certainly not a modern phenomenon.  Old black and white photographs and even film reels show crowded streets, a crowded Plaza de Toros, pile ups and packed barriers going back many decades – all seemingly without killing off the soul of the encierro.

Additionally, the modern crowding is not getting any worse according to figures released by the Ayuntamiento of Pamplona.  An article published on sanfermin.com highlighted the fact that some years, such as 2012, saw over 20 thousand runners take part across the 8 days, while others much less.  2017 was estimated to have had around 16 thousand runners. Volumes also vary dramatically from day-to-day. It would appear that a patient and determined runner can find space on the right day if he bides his time and takes his chances.

So while it is true that we often smoother the thing we love and destroy its essence, sometimes the thing we love is not actually dead and we just need to look at it slightly differently.  Perhaps, as in San Sebastián, we need to experience it differently and re-learn what the essence now is. Ultimately we need to acknowledge that the essence of a thing is fleeting, transient and that we should enjoy what we can of it while it lasts.

© 2007 Xabier Ansó. El dispositivo especial de Sanfermin permite acceder el propio recorrido del encierro

The Running of the Bulls is rejected by many Insurance companies

Bill lives in Ontario, Canada. He is a monitor of risk sports and he remembers the first time he ran the running of the bulls from the Santo Domingo stretch. A runner by his side, with a look of panic, told him just before the bulls were released, “I don’t think my travel insurance policy will cover this.” And it turned out to be that case. At times, Bill has thought about taking part in the running of the bulls since then, but he feels the risk is higher than the profession he performs in his working life as a monitor of risk sports.

Travel insurance companies don’t cover risky behaviour.

Chris after his experiences in the 1995 Sanfermines, expressed his attitude as follows: “Forget about Bungee jumping, forget about the jalopy car racing, forget the rest…This really guarantees an authentic adrenaline boost. There are no security nets; there are no safety belts or airbags. You and a dozen bulls running in among a couple of thousand runners who are just as terrified…as you.”

Chris encourages his American colleagues to take part in the running of the bulls and gives some sound advice, considering that he has been a runner from abroad. His final piece of advice is “Ensure that you have good medical insurance, and it is probably wise to make sure that your will is up to date.”

Planning to run with the bulls? Jump off cliffs?
Check your coverage

There are two insurance policies made by Pamplona City Hall and by the organizers of the bull fair – the Casa de Misericordia. These serve to cover compensations in cases of disablement or death. Those injured or wounded and born within the province of Navarra, or from neighboring provinces, receive free medical treatment from The Public Health Service. However, foreigners are charged through their medical insurance. Anyone injure or wounded will obviously be given full treatment with no questions asked, but later The Navarra Health Service will try to have the cost paid by the patients medical insurance.

The hospital is obliged to charge by law

The Navarra Public Health Service is obliged, by law, to charge for its health care, when there always exists a third party to pay, as occurs in the case of traffic accidents. Consequently, in the case of people who are resident in another country, they must try to find someone to take responsibility for the costs. In any case, all patients can leave the hospital without paying the cost – which does not occur in some other countries – and there have been cases where the Embassy of the infirm person has had to affront the costs of their citizens in cases of insolvency. In the case of other European countries, there exists a corresponding compensation system between the different national health systems.

When it comes to paying, the costs in Navarra are quite cheap in comparison with other health systems in the first world. So, consequently, if someone decides to take part in the running of the bulls without any kind of insurance, and should he be admitted to hospital, he can be assured of receiving good attention and the hospital bill will be lower than if it had occurred in any other place.

Difficulties to get insured

Whoever comes to Pamplona from abroad, could find some problems if they need treatment arising from some accident in the running of the bulls. For example, World Nomads is one of the biggest travel agencies in the world for travel insurance. In its publicity on the web page, Nomads announces instant universal insurance all round the world, but when faced with a specific request for travel insurance from an American citizen who wanted to take part in the Pamplona running of the bulls, the answer was. “Regretfully, as part of our policy we cannot cover you as an American citizen or resident to take part in the running of the bulls.”

The Allianz Insurance Company, in its coverage of travel agencies who organize trips from Australia, New Zealand and The United States, has a list of activities which are covered and a list which is excluded from coverage. The traveler can take a ride on an elephant and if there is a fall, there is coverage… but if a Polar Bear attacks off the track of the polar safari, besides dying of fright or even really dying, there is no insurance cover in this case. And watch out…another one of the activities excluded is the Running of the Bulls, whether or not there are any safaris…

Without specifically stating Pamplona, but using the expression “running with the bulls” the text reads: “I assume and accept the risks and dangers and the possibility of suffering personal harm and being hospitalized…” This kind of formula is now common to inform tourists that they have been warned of the risks and the element of chance which lies in the running of the bulls…

For example, another recent warning came from the Sidney Morning Herald, in Australia, when it recently informed its readers that jumping from the Navarreria fountain or taking part in the running of the bulls, is not recommended by the principal insurance companies.

Another example we could consider comes from The Association of American Programs in Spain which specifically recommends that travelers should not take part in risk activities and cites the running of the bulls as a clear example of this. It reminds travelers that both tourists and local runners have both suffered serious and mortal accidents over the years in the running of the bulls.

Another of the formulas being used at present by some agencies is to have a form signed which renounces all rights of suing made by the travelers if they take part in the running of the bulls and something happens to them. These forms free the agency from all responsibility in the matter and oblige the person who signs to assume that “I am conscious of the risks inherent in the running of the bulls and I am conscious of other added risks and dangers coming from other runners (…) that there are runners who are unaware of the dangers inherent in the running of the bulls and who could act irrationally and prejudice me in the participation of the running of the bulls.(…) I am conscious that the enjoyment and the emotion of the running of the bulls comes, in part, from the participation of the bulls and if I choose to take part it is at my own volition and risk, and my responsibility and at my own expense.”

There are also some overstatements such as the agency that states that in Sanfermin, the muggings increase exponentially and it is not safe to go out alone at night. The solution, of course, is to contract insurance…

La manada entra en la plaza consistorial un 17 de marzo. Increíble, pero cierto.

Toros de cine por primavera en Pamplona

La película china Line Walker Operation Midnight Shadow incluirá el encierro de Pamplona en su trama y esta mañana se han rodado las escenas emulando un encierro de Sanfermin en primavera.

Cuando crees que lo has visto todo en Sanfermin, siempre te quedas corto. ¿Alguien podía imaginar un encierro con vallado y todo en marzo en Pamplona? Pues ya no hace falta. Ha pasado esta mañana. Y además con regalos para la vista que fuera de contexto en los próximos años volverán loco a quien descubra las imágenes. Hemos visto encierros de cuatro y seis toros a nueve grados de temperatura, hemos visto encierros al revés sin corredores y hemos visto a corredores perseguidos por un coche. La culpa de todo lo tiene la segunda entrega de la película china Line Walker. Este filme estará ambientado en Hong Kong, Madrid y Pamplona y ha provocado rodajes en Segovia, Tafalla y Pamplona. Hoy tocaba encierro en Pamplona.

Y el encierro de hoy ha sido un encierro en serio a nivel de infraestructura, con carpinteros de verdad, policía de verdad, toros de verdad, pastores de verdad y fotógrafos y periodistas de coña (figurantes). Bueno, alguno de verdad ha tenido que ir para que veáis encierros como este.

Para que salga todo bien hay que tomarse su tiempo y en aras de la seguridad y del buen trabajo ha costado arrancar la jornada. Hemos empezado con sol y casi terminamos lloviendo. A los toros no les ha importado, pero hemos visto corredores con mantas para aguantar las escasas temperaturas de esta mañana.

Corral en Santo Domingo y corredores con mantas

Los toros partían desde un corral instalado en plena cuesta de Santo Domingo junto al ayuntamiento, muy cerca de la propia plaza. Los animales han discurrido por el recorrido del encierro hasta prácticamente la bajada de Javier junto a La Casa del libro y reloj que marca el tiempo que resta para Sanfermin.

Corrales improvisados junto al Ayuntamiento de Pamplona en Santo Domingo.
Corrales improvisados junto al Ayuntamiento de Pamplona en Santo Domingo.

Después de completar una pasada y grabar una escena real o de prueba, los animales tenían que volver a los corrales y se daba la increíble escena de ver un encierro al revés sin que hubiera un toro de Escolar de por medio. A los corredores se les apartaba, pero la escena es buenísima.

La manda retorna por Mercaderes en una imagen inesperada.
La manda retorna por Mercaderes en una imagen inesperada.
Corredores ataviados de mantas para aguantar los nueve grados, ven retornar a la manada a los corrales.
Corredores ataviados de mantas para aguantar los nueve grados, ven retornar a la manada a los corrales.

Conforme la mañana ha ido avanzando los animales han dejado paso a los coches. Así como en la grabación de Tafalla de la semana pasada pudimos ver la simulación de una persecución en coche, en Pamplona hemos disfrutado de escenas similares. Una de las más espectaculares ha sido esta entrada a tope resbalando como los morlacos en plena curva con un BMW. Está claro que no había aplicado el antideslizante.

La producción de la película en España ha sido cosa de la experimentada Babieka Films y por lo que hemos visto se han encargado con profesionalidad del tema. Desde Pamplona han echado una mano para la organización tanto el Ayuntamiento de Pamplona como la
Navarra Film Commission.

El público chino cada vez más habitual en Sanfermin

El público chino es habitual en Sanfermin desde hace unos años, de hecho a través de Sanfermin.com y Sanfermin by locals han venido numerosos grupos de ciudadanos de este país. Según nos cuenta Mikel Ollo, agente Turístico de Sanfermin by locals, es previsible que con acciones como esta pueda incrementarse la demanda sanferminera de turistas chinos como ya sucedió con el público hindú cuando se grabó en Pamplona Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. . Según nos cuenta Mikel Ollo, agente Turístico de Sanfermin by locals, es previsible que con acciones como esta pueda incrementarse la demanda sanferminera de turistas chinos como ya sucedió con el público hindú cuando se grabó en Pamplona Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

Mikel Ollo nos dice que desde hace tres años comenzamos a trabajar regularmente con público chino colaborando con la agencia VR Trip, la más potente a nivel online de China. Podemos contar que son gente muy interesada en las fiestas de Sanfermin,  que muestran mucha educación y respeto y a los que les llama especialmente la atención tanto el encierro como las corridas de toros”.

Según nos cuenta Mikel Ollo, de Sanfermin by locals “El perfil de los visitantes chinos que acuden a Pamplona con nosotros suelen ser parejas jóvenes y familias de hasta 5 miembros (padres, hija o hijo y abuelos). La procedencia es de China, Taiwan, Hong Kong y ciudadanos chinos residentes en Europa, Estados Unidos o España que se interesan por las fiestas de Sanfermin. Son muy de sacar fotos y les interesa mucho conocer el porqué de correr el encierro junto a los toros y vestir por lo general de blanco.”

El público chino representa tras tres años el 10% del volumen de turistas que utilizan los servicios que ofrecen Sanfermin.com y Sanfermin by Locals de la mano de Mikel Ollo y su gente. El tipo de público suele ser de nivel adquisitivo medio alto y destaca el interés por captar los detalles y conocer las razones y la motivación de todo lo que contemplan. Apunta Mikel Ollo, “es complicado cumplir con el horario establecido de las rutas ya que se esfuerzan por conocer a fondo todo lo que ven.” Inicialmente vivimos varias experiencias con grupos en 2013 y 2014, y a partir de entonces trabajamos con grupos y con clientes individuales, que no vienen con agencia de viajes organizada sino que se preparan la ruta a medida. Generalmente los grupos visitan otras partes de España o realizan el Camino de Santiago y dedican una o dos jornadas a conocer las internacionalmente famosas fiestas de Sanfermin.

Imagen de Iñaki Vergara con los toros en abanico en la calle Estafeta.

Eminence

by Matt Dowsett. Photo Iñaki Vergara.

(Written with thanks and appreciation to AFH for his valuable contribution)

“A plague on eminence! I hardly dare cross the street any more without a convoy, and I am stared at wherever I go…”

Igor Stravinsky

It is a very human trait to want to be respected, to be highly knowledgeable and to elevate oneself, not only within a social circle, but far beyond. Some would argue that it is innate; linked to our evolution and the limbic system – that part of the brain that primarily integrates emotions, motivations and behaviours. Darwin maybe would have argued that it is actually in our genes as it ensures that the elevated ones are sure to get the girl, to get fed.

Thackeray derided he who would not strive for eminence as “a poor-spirited coward.” Washington Allston would seem to agree in saying: “I am inclined to think from my own experience that the difficulty to eminence lies not in the road, but in the timidity of the traveler.”

In this modern world the desire to attain these heights has a more immediate and less forgiving arena in the online space. The push for “likes” and the need for the most “followers” on a profile drives an online behaviour that appears to be a search for fame and influence. It is even possible to measure how much online influence a person has through their “Klout” score. And it is not simply about posting dreary nonsense in order to get clicks. Andrew Gill has pointed out that: “as social media is becoming more prevalent, and people and companies are using it to make purchasing and hiring decisions, the role of social eminence is becoming critical.”

Small wonder that everybody wants to rise; this is not just influence. In ‘Leviathan’ Hobbes wrote that: “Man strives for power after power and it ceases only in death.” What is power? Eminence! Or as Hobbes more correctly put it: “‘Natural power’ is the eminence of the faculties of body or mind, as extraordinary strength, form, prudence, arts, eloquence, liberality, nobility.”

Little wonder that we strive for eminence when, deep down, we believe it will give us power.

But remember that true eminence is not just about being well known. It is possible to become well known overnight; that is fame. It is also not just about having great knowledge. It is possible to attain great knowledge through the application of ones own appetite; that is being learned. True eminence is about being respected for ones knowledge and experience, being well known for it and, as a result, having influence.

Seeking to advance oneself is always a dangerous game. The temptation to cut corners, cheat a little or even to walk over the bodies of rivals to advance is never far away. Beware that a person is never too high to fall, but more than that, reputation is a valuable treasure that is easily lost. As Baltasar Gracian said: “A single lie destroys a whole reputation of integrity.” Elevate, go and climb higher, but remember “The high road is always respected. Honesty and integrity are always rewarded.” (Scott Hamilton).

Additionally, Nicholas Chamfort pointed out that: “Eminence without merit earns deference without esteem.” Anyone seeking this level should expect to have a long wait and be prepared to put in the effort. But they also need to be careful. “Knowledge can be heady stuff, but easily leads to an excess of zeal – to illusions of grandeur and a desire to impress others and achieve eminence… Our search for knowledge should be ceaseless, which means that it is open-ended, never resting on laurels, degrees or past achievements.” So wrote Hugh Nibley, perhaps warning against hubris and its results.

In the world of fiesta and the encierro, there are plenty that seek an exalted position, despite there being few formal roles. The collective has no appointed leaders or positions of authority and yet many are drawn into the contest to become known, to become respected and to be seen as a figurehead for the masses in fiesta. Newcomers will attempt do demonstrate just how much they know about the history of fiesta. Perhaps they will even write a book, a blog or an article. Others will try to make their name in the encierro and gain respect through that route. Some will simply opt for longevity; returning to fiesta year after year until they naturally assume a position of respect.

Yet none of this is guaranteed to result in eminence. The person who returns time and again to Pamplona may be respected but could simply have lived the same fiesta thirty times over and never learned anything outside of the few bars and streets that they frequent. In the encierro the camera lies and a runner can make it look as though they have had an amazing run, eventually the truth will out. Not only that but respect in the encierro comes from proving oneself not just day after day, but year after year, as Nibley inferred.

Even after all of this, status in the encierro can lead to a false sense of importance. To be regarded as “divino” or divine carries a number of connotations; being so elevated as to be considered saintly, having reached a pinnacle of performance that leads to the runner being beyond reproach, but also a sarcastic or mocking term for a runner who believes themselves to be worthy of this status. To be divino is not necessarily something to aspire to. The divino who challenges the gods of the encierro can soon encounter nemesis in “valiente” form.

There is no shortage of fiesta attendees that are prepared to seek to be someone, to be known. AFH said: “I think the denial of the urge to eminence false, a pose, but its overindulgence ugly.” This implies a fine balance between feeding the desire for influence and not becoming a caricature. The question also has to be asked; “What good is power in fiesta? What does it serve and where does it lead?”

The search for eminence is at odds with the loose and chaotic nature of fiesta. In the maelstrom of Los Sanfermines, wielding power is contrary to the spontaneous, raw alegría. It inhibits it, it seeks to work against it in setting rules in an arena where the suspension of rules has long been celebrated as a cornerstone of fiesta.

And what are these cornerstones?

It could be argued that the key elements are faith, brotherhood, music, food and liberality. These do not leave much room for power to be assumed and employed, except perhaps in the world of faith. Look at the street during fiesta and you will see the evidence of the removal of controls: no or very few police or officials, the people spilling out onto the road, a huge and unmanageable mass allowed to be self-regulating, a 24-hour life, spontaneous bursts of music and dancing, a largesse that the city bathes in.

This is no place for power except that which is confined to pockets of friends or collections of the like-minded. It is a deluded kind of power as there is no real effect. The scale of San Fermín repels power leaving those who desire it to scratch out their exposure where they can: on snatched television interviews, holding court in a bar or restaurant, online activity and the written word that rapidly becomes litter, floating around the dirty streets.

Power and influence are fleeting. Everything passes and fades with time, and even the greatest leaders are only remembered in dusty history books. Shelley and his contemporary Horace Smith correctly observed that great empires fall into dust. In his poem, Ozymandias (written at the same time as the work of the same name by his friend, Shelley), Smith mused: “…what powerful but unrecorded race, once dwelt in that annihilated place.”

Some will tell you that the best parties in San Fermín are the exclusive ones, invitation only, in character-laden apartments of the old town and frequented by aficionados and their groupies every year on a certain day of fiesta. Actually the true joy of fiesta comes from diving into the swirling whirlpool of humanity and letting the flow take you with it. The white and red of Los Sanfermines may seem to some like an inhibiting uniform or a banal lack of individualism, but it is actually to be envied. The anonymous spirit can ignore all expectations and simply surrender to the flow. Power and influence come with shackles, while ignorance is bliss. How many long-term fiesta luminaries yearn to return to the fiestas of their youth? Not only to be young again, but to be free again – free of the responsibilities, burdens and expectations that come with age and influence. The faceless power of the collective alegría is stronger than the individual who has worked for 30 years to be respected on the street.

Up on the balcony of the Casa Consistorial at 11:55 on 6th July, a line of the powerful and influential stand in their pristine white clothes. In their hands a petite glass of cava. On the face of it they are the great and good of the city, the region, but in reality they carry only grey eminence. The masses do not care about them; in fact they regularly jeer at them, chant rude songs and even throw things at them. Up on the balcony it is all polite and careful conversation as they observe the seething mass below on the plaza. The crowd swirls and surges, the joy is about to explode into rapture while the eminent and influential look politely on.

“Isn’t it a marvellous view from up here,” observes one politician.

“Yes,” replies another, wistfully, “but I would rather be down there.”