Showing posts with label Bull Running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bull Running. Show all posts

Thursday, April 23, 2015

The brave Bull or toro de lidia

The story of the wild breeding has more than three centuries since the Spanish breeders started selecting the bulls for bullfighting in the eighteenth century; We are, therefore, to the world's oldest cattle breeders.



 The bull is considered the most representative emblem of Spain outside our frontiers. Such is its appeal that has been exported to neighboring countries: Portugal and France, and has arrived to the American Continent.
There is an anti-bullfighting movement that is totally against the cruelty that the bulls experience. The bull advocates maintain that if it were not for the bullfights, the brave bulls would have extinguished. Bullfights are popular all over Spain. Pamplona´s Bullfight Arena is only open during the San Fermin Festival.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Superstitions

In Europe the number 13 is not a popular number among the superstitious. When they are counting, the even said: twelve twelve + one! fourteen… There is a Spanish saying ( in Spanish it has rhyming) that says, "when 13 don’t get married or embark."
Well, in the running last year (2013) 'on the 13th, at the entrance to the Bullfight Ring one of the carpenters of the Running with the Bulls was waiting the arrival of a group of Policeman. Because of the overcrowding, the carpenter could not close the door and many people slinked through preventing to close the door. The space to enter the bullring was halved in a matter of seconds. A huge human pile was created within seconds and it was no way out except from retracing the steps and finding a catnip to escape.



We knew the bulls where on their way to the Bullring so we were panicking!  We could see all those trapped, some with the bulls horn on their face feeling the breath of the bulls, other suffocating crushed by the crowd. The seconds were eternal, but fortunately enough the Fuente Ymbro beasts decided not to charge against the human pile and finally a hole was created on the same door that was left open so funny enough, what caused the tragedy became the solution! The bulls went down the alley and were forced to leave the arena by opening another door.  They went directly to the corrals. This running of the bulls provided an endless 4 minutes 15 seconds of anguishing moments. Several runners were unconscious and black and blue face. It was overwhelming. Dozens of shoes were left on the sand; you could see people crying with anguish ... The final balance was 25 wounded, 21 of them related to this human pile tragedy. The worst one was a boy from Vitoria, only 19. Nowadays he’s still in intensive care.

Monday, June 23, 2014

The "Red Sash" and the Running of the Bulls

In general, those who try to "Pamplonica" clothing they wear not only white clothing and the red scarf but a Red Sash on their waist. 

Mercaderes/Estafeta Corner

Few years ago it was recommended not to wear the red sash as during the Running of the Bulls the runner could be hooked by the bull introducing the horn on the sash and dragged the runner. To prevent this horrible and dangerous situation you cannot see many people wearing them during the Running with the Bulls.

The Running of the Bulls: The BIG SHOW

450 million people, that is exactly the potential audience worldwide during the Bull Run. The telecast in RTVE (Spanish tv) reaches 100 million households in 200 countries around the globe. 

Mercaderes/Estafeta Corner

It is the most watched and crowded Festival of Spain. From 6 to 14 July, Pamplona multiplies by 8 its 200,000 inhabitants (the weekend are over two million), many of them foreigners. 3,000 people pile up to run the 850 meters of the daily running of the bulls, but it is said that only 200 of them will really run in front of the bulls. Nowadays American and Australian Governments warn about the dangers of participating in the crazy Running of the Bulls. If you want to enjoy in a safe manner and participate in the joy, rent a balcony. Especially in the curve of Mercaderes and Estafeta St. where the Dead Man Corner is known and all the most important journalists are located. 

Sunday, June 15, 2014

The Sheppherds in the Runnig of de bulls

H
Sheppherds are a main figure in the Running of the Bulls since it first started as in the Middle Ages, when there were no runners on the streets, they were responsible for driving the cattle on foot, either through the country side, as along the streets of Pamplona.

There are now eight toten pastors in the daily Running of the Bulls. Dressed in uniform identification (green shirt and blue pants) and carrying a stick, each is assigned its stretch along the itinerary and are relieved every 100 meters. They run behind the bulls as their mission is to ensure that the herd won´t break up, either turn back and keep away the young runners that run behind the animals.


Sheppherds are experts in handling cattle and the difficult art maintaining all together the bulls. Fun enough, almost none of them are professionals in the Livestock Industry as during the rest of the year their jobs are very faraway from the San Fermin Festival and some work for the government, can be fishermans or or farmers. Besides working in the Running of the Bulls, the San Fermin shepherds are also responsible for all matters relating to the bulls during the Festival. The local people highly value their role. Every day, some time before the Running of the Bulls will start they walk along the itinerary and the people gathered in the balconies will applaud them.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Injured Runners during the Running of the Bulls

Generally those runners injured during the Bull Run that need to be taken to the hospital (in Pamplona's two public hospitals) and to go under surgery will need to remain in hospital for a while.  In these cases, if the person is a foreigner their insurance policy can have a agreement with the Spain Social Health but it may also can have a private insurance that will take care of all the expenses during their hospitalization time.

In any case, if the injured running hasn´t got any insurance, Navarra´s Government will afford and covers all the expenses.

This situation could be avoided by watching the running of the bulls in a rent balcony. If this is your wish do not hesitate to contact us in www.sanferminbalconies.com. We have some spots left in the most famous curve: Dead Man Corner.





Friday, June 13, 2014

Professionals in the Running of the Bulls


Around 2,500 people during the week will participate in Pamplona´s bull run and 20.000 spectators watch from the balconies, the fences and inside the Bullring.  Others won´t watch it or run but work on it.

On the one hand, 600 municipal police officers from Navarra´s Government and Pamplona Council work every morning to ensure a triple mission during the running of the bulls:  A) Before the bull run, clear the path of all those who are not but runners but remain in the streets hanging around after a night out. B) Contain the real runners of the bulls by creating two police barriers located at the front of the Santo Domingo´s Hill and the beginning of Mercaderes Street. C) Make sure that the bans on municipal and regional legislation on the Running of the Bulls are accomplished. We can see all this from privileged rent balconies.


In addition there are 200 healthcare professionals (Red Cross & DYA)'coordinated by SOS Navarra and those are responsible, at street level of health care for those minored injured and for transferring the worst injured one to the different hospitals. The medical staff is deployed at 15 sites located along the whole itinerary of the running of the bulls together with 15 ambulances for conveying the wounded runner. On top of this, there are two nursing rooms to operate immediately if need it in the bullring where 19 doctors and nurses are ready to attend as well as four surgical teams in two public hospitals in Pamplona will await the arrival of hypothetical wounded runners.




IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!
www.sanferminbalconies.com

Preventing the "Piling up"

After what happened during the last San Fermin Running of the bulls, the House of Mercy (responsible for the Plaza de Toros), has taken a drastic measure as they have decided to achor the alley gates to the ground during the entrance of the Bullfight Ring during the Bull Run, in order to avoid the horrible human pile that occurred las July 13 with a dramatic result.  

This year a commission was created to study different preventive measures for such events. It was also considered the possibility of limiting the number of runners but the representatives of "Las Peñas" (local associations) were totally against.
It could have been a great tragedy. There were 23 wounded, including two runner hurt by bull horn. Fortunately all ended up recovering. On these occasions it is said that "San Fermin les echó un capote” (help them with his cape).



IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!

www.sanferminbalconies.com


Thursday, June 12, 2014

The two herds of Halters (Castrated Bulls)




The six bulls that wil lbe fighting against the matador on the daily’s San Fermin Bullfight are the same that will be making possible the daily Running of the Bulls. They will start the run followed by a first bunch of Halters as those are familiar with the itinerary and will be guiding them up to the Bullfight Plaza.Two minutes after they will release a second herd of castrated bulls and those are called the “Tail Halters”, they are smaller than the previousones and run slower as their mission is to drag into the arena any main bulls that have been left behind in the itinerary.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED.

The Fenced of "Encierro"





Today, Monday the 4th of June, the fenced enclosure is starting to be installed from Santo Domingo corrals up to the Bullfight Ring. These works will keep on going until the 6th July when the Chupinazo takes place. Starting on the SantoDomingo Corrals and along the small "encierro2 (encierrillo) itinerary up to the Gas, an army of carpenters will assemble and ensure into the ground nearly 900 posts that hold the 2,700 planks required to make all the itinerary a safe place.

 From today the timbers will be progressively disposed, marking the path for the young men (mozos), bullsand the San Fermin Calendar until the San Fermin Festivities Eve, when the last planks, those located between Estafeta´s and Amaya´s  Streets will be installed.


IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Chants to San Fermin












The closure has a particularly emotional preamble. This is the time when the runners gathered a few meters from the Corrals where the bulls are locked, raise their rolled newspapers and chant before the image of the saint, placed in a niche in Santo Domingo´s Hill. In the deepest silence you can only hear the following song: "A San Fermín pedimos, por ser nuestro patrón, nos guíe en el encierro dándonos su bendición. Entzun arren San Fermin zu zaitugu patroi zuzendu gure oinak entzierro hontan otoi" This is the Spanish version and in a nutshell, they are asking to San Fermin to guide & help them while running in front of the bulls.

The basque version would be: “Entzun leased San Fermin zu zaitugu patroi zuzendu gure oinak entzierro Hontan Otoi.". The song is done in Castilian and Basque. At the end cries Live San Fermin! The soon is finished by: Viva San Fermin! Gora San Fermin! This strophe is sung as follows in three consecutive occasions: first time, 5´, 3´ & 1´ before 8 am (running of the bulls start at 8:00),


IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!











The Shepherds



The shepherd’s team is formed with ten men that cover the entire running of the bulls. These brave men run behind the bulls with a unique protection a long wooden cane. Their main functions are to prevent irresponsible runners teasing the bulls behind risking other runners safety as the bull can turn their back and run in the opposite direction. The shepherd ensure the guidance of those bulls left behind in any part of the running of the bulls itinerary up to the entrance of all the beasts into the Bullfight Ring.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!

The Dobladores

Another essential factor to ensure a smooth running of the bulls is the Dobladores (benders) team. This team has a good knowledge of the bullfighting world and bulls behaviour so they are placed inside the Bullfight Ring Arena to do 2 very important safety measures: first one, help the runners and make the “abanico” (the fan as it means help the runners to go towards the sides of the arena and not pile up in front of the bulls at their entrance of the Bullfight Ring. Very dangerous when this happens!). and second one, attract the bulls to enter the Bullfight Corral as soon as possible so any one gets injured.



IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!

The Running of the Bulls: “What´s important to know”



The Running of the Bulls is a unique experience for the viewer and for those that decide to participate in theBull Run. It´s a show defined by the risk and physical ability of the runners. 
The inexperienced runner has to learn the features of this dangerous running and integrate all the safety measures established to ensure not only his safety but of those running close to him. The running of the bulls is not for anyone to run. Requires serenity, excellent reflexes and extreme physical preparation. Those who do not meet these requirements should not participate. The risk is serious.
The runners must be at the section between the City Hall Square and the Education Building on Santo Domingo´s Hill, and must be done before 7:30 am, because after this time the access doors will be shut down. The rest of the running of the bulls itinerary will remain completely free of runners until a few minutes before 8 am where the police barrier will open and the runners will start choosing the spot they have decided to run with the bulls.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!

Saturday, June 7, 2014

The Running of The Bulls

The Running of the Bullsis a unique experience for all the people gathered on the itinerary and specially for those who are going to run in front of the Bulls. It's a show that is defined by the willing risk and the physical abilities.
 The inexperienced runner must be informed of the dangerous characteristics of this race and the necessary protective measures to be taken for their safety and those who are at their side. Most of the times, from the balcony, we could see that recklessness havecaused serious injuries.
The Running of the Bulls isnot for everyone. Requires serenity, excellent awareness and strong physical preparation. Those not meeting these requirements should not participate in the race. The risk is serious.
Runners must be at the section between the Town Hall  Square (were the Chupinazo takes place) and the Education Building on the Cuesta de Santo Domingo.They must do so before 7.30 am, because after that time the doors will be closed. The rest of the itinerary will remain completely free of runners so anyone is allowed to be there and if the police see anyone they will ask them to leave the street. Few minutes before 8 am all the runners will decide where they want to run and how would they like to experience this risky but unique experience. 

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!


www.sanferminbalconies

Friday, June 6, 2014

Running of The Bulls 2014

The chosen livestocks for the Running of the Bulls during the San Fermin Festivals are:


Monday, July 7th :         Bulls Torrestrella
Tuesday, July 8th :         Dolores Aguirre
Wednesday, July 9th :    Victoriano del Río
Thursday, July 10th :      Garcigrande
Friday, July 11th :          Jandilla
Saturday, July 12th :      Source Ymbro
Sunday, July 13th :        Adolfo Martín Andrés
Monday, July 14th :       Miura



IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!