San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain is probably one of the most popular event on the calendar of spaniards.
Lasting nine days, the festival kicks off with massive crowds at the Chupinazo in Pamplona town square, followed by a carnival, fireworks, many bullfights, and of course, the encierro, or “running of the bulls.” Held since 1591, San Fermin remains a popular, if also dangerous and controversial, event: Several people have been injured already this year, and the festival continues until July 14. Collected here are some scenes from the first days of this year’s Festival of San Fermin.
Revelers hold up traditional red scarves during the “Chupinazo”, the official opening of the 2012 San Fermin fiestas, on July 6, 2012 in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world kick off the San Fermin festival with a messy party in the Pamplona town square, one day before the first of eight days of the running of the bulls. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
Revellers hold up red scarves during the start of the Running Of The Bulls Festival in Pamplona July 6, 2012. (Reuters/Vincent West)
Celebrations in Ayuntamiento square, in Pamplona, Spain on July 6, 2012 to kick off the Spain’s most famous bull-running festival with the annual launch of the “chupinazo” rocket. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Participants celebrate during the “Chupinazo” to mark the start at noon sharp of the San Fermin Festival on July 6, 2012 in front of the Town Hall of Pamplona. (Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty Images)
A reveler is sprayed with water after the “Chupinazo”, on July 6, 2012 in Pamplona. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
Festival-goers are doused with water after the “Chupinazo” in Pamplona, on July 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
Partying during the Running Of The Bulls in Pamplona town square, on July 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
A San Fermin festival reveler jumps from a fountain in Pamplona, on July 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
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