The Peña clubs did not attend the bullfights at the sunny side of the bullring

12/07/2010. They held a popular picnic in the street and boycotted the bullfights in protest at the “aggression” they feel they suffer at the hands of Pamplona City Hall

A very unusual sight at yesterday's bullfight; the stand on the sunny side of the ring empty, no brass bands to be seen or heard. The bullfights were played out in almost total silence, only broken by the applause from the spectators and the music from the La Pamplonesa City Hall brass band. In short, a bullfight from the Pamplona bullring that did not seem to be the Pamplona bullring.

The boycott of the bullfights and their alternative picnic in the street, held to denounce the continual "aggressions" that they feel they suffer from Pamplona City Hall, and also to demand more popular and participative fiestas, were successful in the sense that many people took part and there was lots of entertainment put on. Hundreds of members responded to the call from the Federation of Peña Clubs and turned up at the pedestrian street of Carlos III with their picnic food and drink.

At seven o'clock in the afternoon fours groups from the four Peñas clubs - Anaitasuna, Muthiko Alaiak, La Única and El Bullicio arrived at Carlos III and, after placing their banners, they prepared themselves to have a good party. There was a good atmosphere, with music from the brass bands and also some singing, in the same style as in the bullring. The picnic ended with a kalejira or street parade through the streets of the old quarter of Pamplona.

Meanwhile, the bullring saw an epic fight made by Juan José Padilla - without the support of the sunny side of the ring on this occasion. Over the second half of the bullfighting afternoon, there were few people even on the shaded side of the bullring. A rapid exodus of people began as the time drew near for the football game and the aspect within the bullring became even more dismal and desolate.