The Txupinazo

At 12:00 midday every 6 th July, the Square in front of the Town Hall is witness to the chaos when the Sanfermín Fiesta literally takes off with a bang. This moment is marked by a rocket - the "Txupinazo" - which is set off to announce the start of the Fiesta. All morning, crowds gather in the "Plaza Ayuntamiento". It is often a hot day and there is not an inch of free space in the packed Square. The passion and intensity grows every minute until it reaches a crescendo at midday. At that point the Mayor and members of the Council step out onto the balconies of the Town Hall to greet the crowds. A nominated person shouts the announcement; "Pamploneses, Pamplonesas, Viva San Fermín! Gora San Fermín!" (people of Pamplona, long live San Fermín!)

The crowd responds with cries of "Viva!" and "Gora!" and the rocket is launched into the sky.

At this moment the Square erupts as hundreds of bottles of Champagne are uncorked and sprayed liberally over the crammed crowd. The smart, clean clothes of the excited people take their first, but not their last soaking from the jets of spraying Champagne.

All over the city the same collective madness bursts out and a whole new atmosphere reigns in the town. The first bout of drinking has started as thousands of bottles of champagne are guzzled down for the start of an uninterrupted party until the day of the 14th of July arrives. Within a few hours many people will be on a high that will last for the whole week. The Txupinazo begins a high that for many people will last the whole week.

In spite of what we might think from the photos, The City Hall square is not so very large and the density of people squeezed in there for the txupinazo opening rocket inevitably creates moments of tension and strain. While hardly anyone needs to be treated for these things, many do need to get treatment for cuts from the broken glass which is strewn on the ground from the many bottles of sparkling wine discarded on the ground. This sensation of over-crowding and congestion does get the adrenalin going even for those foreigners who are not very aware of what is going on and it is an invitation to quench one’s emotions with plenty of cold drinks.