Running Of The Bulls

Every year, the world-famous event called the Encierro or the Running of the Bulls takes place in Pamplona, Spain. The city of Pamplona and surrounding area has ties to Roman times, and this is evident in its architecture. The tradition that became the Running of the Bulls originated from the festival of Saint Fermin, who was from Pamplona and eventually beheaded. In the 13th century, the religious ceremonies in honor of Saint Fermin (also called Sanfermines) were on October 10th, but they were changed to July 6th-14th (current dates) in 1591 when people became angry with the bad weather. Some tales say that the festivals include bullfighting because San Fermin’s master was sentenced to death because of his faith and dragged to death behind
a bull. However, the practice of running bulls from outside the city into a bullring was common and necessary before bullfights. There was no other way to transport the bulls, and soon this transportation method became the climax of the festivities. This nine day festival mostly consists of partying, drinking, and music.
There are also trade fairs, tournaments, acrobats, carnival figures, and, of course, the bullfight. The only criteria to run with the bulls is that to be 18 years old. It is a personal decision whether or not someone is physically fit enough to race. The actual running of the bulls is set off by the launching of two rockets. Daredevils run in front of six bulls and six steers for 825 meters (about a half-mile). This can take three to fifteen minutes. A double fence comprised of 3,000 wooden parts marks out the route through the streets. During the run, “pastores” with long sticks ensure that the bulls do not turn around and “dobladores,” ex-bullfighters,
supervise. This run ends in the bullring, where beers are poured and exhausted bulls are prodded into the ring.
Before the bullfights begin, vaseline is rubbed in bulls’ eyes to impair their vision and cotton is stuffed in their noses and ears to make it difficult for the bulls to hear and breathe. The word “matador” comes from the spanish word “matar” which means “to kill.” These matadors torment the bulls by shaving their horns to cause pain and throw the bulls off balance, twisting daggers into their bodies to maximize blood loss, and stabbing the bulls in the back and neck. After torturing the bulls, the matadors stab the bulls in the spinal cord to slowly kill them. While the bulls are still conscious, their ears and tails are cut off as trophies. In 2013, 48 animals were killed in the Running of the Bulls, including bulls and horses (horses that are ridden in the bullring are at risk of being harmed/kicked by bulls). In history, the events of the Running of the Bulls brought people together and were a part of society’s celebration during festivals. SinceBecause bullfighting is a part of Spain’s culture, the European Union gives funds to breeding fighting bulls. However, Spain has grown, and many question whether or not to continue this
tradition.
Activists have been protesting this cruel, public treatment of animals. Only 29% of the Spanish population supports bullfighting. Since 2007, the number of major bullfighting events has decreased by 50%. From 2008-2013, the attendance to Spanish bullfights decreased by 40%. Ten European countries have banned bullfighting, and certain areas of the seven countries that practice bullfighting have abolished bullfighting. Bullfighting as a form of entertain has struggled in recent years because of animal cruelty awareness and the financial crisis in Spain. Spain’s unemployment rate is at 22.7%, and taxes were increased on cultural events, like bullfighting. This has lessened the tourism and attendance to the Running of the Bulls. People that go to the festival usually attempt to distract themselves from their unemployment; the summer is Spain’s festival season, so they hop from festival to festival. The Running of the Bulls has been occurring in Spain for a long time, and bullfighting is a controversial topic that will be debated in the near future.