The sexual aggressions tarnished the fiestas, which in general were positively valued by the Federation of Peña Clubs

15/07/2011. The Peña Clubs highlight the fact that the people of Iruñea-Pamplona have given a lesson to all with their civic behavior, their participation in the partying and their true sense of what the fiestas represent

In a press release issued yesterday evening of the 14th July, The Federation of Peñas Clubs of Pamplona gave a thumbs-up in their assessment of Sanfermin 2011, and stated that they were only tainted by the "lamentable sexist aggression suffered by at least two women". The Federation also criticized "the actions of determined sectors and powers-that-be to which the people of Iruñea have once again responded by giving them a lesson on how to behave when it comes to participation, civic behavior and the real sense of what a fiesta represents".

"The different popular movements -and among these, the outstanding role played by the Peña clubs - have show how to stay aloof from problems, bureaucratic institutional hindrances and the selling of open spaces, to create a true festive atmosphere in the streets and where the participation of the ordinary citizens was fundamental to the success of the fiestas", they stated in their press release.

The Federation of Peña Clubs reiterated their readiness to collaborate with all the entities involved in the fiestas in order to open "a real debate in readiness for the 2012 Sanfermines and to achieve between all parties a enhancement to our fiestas so as to place them in the spot where they deserve to be".

Read the full press release.