The day of the American writer who turned the fiestas upside down

09/07/2009. Pamplona pays homage to Ernest Hemingway on the 50th anniversary of his last visit to the city

Today, the ninth of July, Hemingway Day is celebrated in memory of the 50th anniversary of the writer's last visit to Pamplona. The main event took place at 11.30 at the Avenue which bears his name. To encourage attendance at this homage to the writer and Nobel Prize winner -thanks to whom the fiestas are now so internationally well-known-, Maestro Bravo - a popular band played and the Giants and their Entourage were also there in attendance.

A faithful reflection of what his own life and style of living was, the homage paid to him today in Pamplona also had its element of chaos and fun. A mixture of Giants, Big Heads, children, TV cameras, politicians of different shades and even Mr. Testis, the Kukuxumsuu Blue Bull were all there beside the statue to pay homage to the writer. Even one of the writer's grandchildren John Patrick Hemingway was in attendance. The Mayor, Yolanda Barcina, was in charge of placing a red necktie around the neck of teh statue. Afterwards, the Giants danced to the delight of the children, most of whom had no idea to whom this homage was being paid.

In addition, the winner of the Hemingway Lookalike International Competition held last week, Thomas Grizzard, was handed over his prize of 1,500 euro today at 9.45 in the Casino Eslava.