Pamplona, ​​the crazy race of the bulls of San Firmino starts again and there are already the first injured: “No more bloody traditions”

Here we are like: the traditional feast of San Firmino returns to inflame Spain and rekindle the debate. During the controversial Tori race, along the 850 -meter route, six people were slightly injured and ended up in the hospital. An absurd story that repeats itself every year.

TO Pamplona the eve of the famous Feast of San Firmino was marked by a strong protest by the activists of Peta And Animanaturalis. Just before the start of the Tori race, hundreds of people participated in a symbolic action to report the cruelty of the tauromachia With the initiative he attracted the attention of the media for his strong scenic and symbolic charge.

A religious representation against violence

In the heart of the protest, a woman impersonated the Virgin Marywith a statue of Jesus Christ in his arms, surrounded by activists naked and covered with fake blood. Second Aida Gascondirector of Animanaturalis, this staging is a way to represent The “souls” of the bulls killed every year during the rogues. Gascon herself commented:

It is true that our battle proceeds very slowly, but we are witnessing progress, as in the case of the mayor of Pamplona, ​​which this year has created this popular consultation In which the inhabitants of Pamplona was asked what they think of the feasts of San Firmino, who also include the bodies and the stroke of the bulls. It will be very interesting to know what the inhabitants of Pamplona think.

Tradition and blood mix

The party, made famous by the novel Fiesta by Ernest Hemingway, is now known all over the world for the Tori race which is held every morning on the streets of the city. But behind the folkloric show there is a bloody practice: none of the bulls employed survives. After the race, in fact, they are all conducted in the arena e killed during the rogues.

Every year, from 7 to 14 July, beyond a million people They come to Pamplona to participate in the celebrations. THE’encierrothe morning race with bulls and oxen, is the main event but also the most dangerous: There are dozens of injuries every year In some cases they also occur deaths. This year there are already six.

In the face of this budget, activists do not stop asking for collective reflection on how much this “tradition” is still sustainable from the point of view ethical.

A tradition that asks to be rethought

Despite the enormous influx of tourists, protests are gaining visibility. After the break imposed by the pandemic, it was hoped that the bullfight could be gate. But so it was not. Meanwhile, the front of those who consider bullfighting continues to grow an anachronistic practiceincompatible with respect for animals and with the values ​​of a civil society.

In 2025 one cannot fail to ask how much Tradition still can justify violence. The stroke of the bulls and the bullfights are not just folklore events: they are also a show of suffering and deathdisguised as a collective rite. Continuing to celebrate these practices in the name of history risks becoming a form of moral blindness.

The feast of San Firmino could be transformed into a different, more respectful and inclusive occasion, which celebrates culture without feeding violence. But to do so you need courage, and above all a collective decision that puts life, of all, at the center.