San Fermín in Pamplona begins with controversial opening: bull run and criticism of animal cruelty

The bullfights themselves follow a strict choreography. According to the strict choreography of the "corridas," first the so-called picadors on armored horses ram a lance into the neck of the animals in order to weaken them. Then the banderilleros, on foot, stick brightly colored wooden sticks fitted with barbs into the neck of the roughly 600-kilogram bulls in order to increase their aggressiveness. Finally, the matador, as the main performer, finishes off the bull with a targeted sword thrust into the heart.

The corrida's sequence: lance, banderillas and sword

Filmmaker Eva Güimil described the bull events as "Tierfolter im Live-TV". Animal rights organization PETA also addressed the public with a statement. The veneration of the Catholic city patron saint San Fermín through the spilling of the blood of God's creatures contradicts traditional Christian values. PETA Vice President Mimi Bekhechi told the German Press Agency: "Traditionen könnten und sollten sich weiterentwickeln, und die spanischen Bürger unterstützten eine Abkehr von der archaischen Praxis des Stierkampfs." She also said: "Tradition ist niemals eine Entschuldigung für Grausamkeit."

Criticism from animal rights activists and demonstrators

Even before the festival, protest rallies under the slogan "Fiesta ohne Folter" took place in Pamplona. Foreign animal welfare organizations such as the British PETA are calling for an end to bull runs and bullfights. According to surveys, around 70 percent of those polled are opposed to bullfighting. But fewer than half also advocate abolishing it.

Supporters of the tradition argue with cultural and economic aspects. According to figures from the Pamplona city administration, the San Fermín festival generated a total financial impact of nearly 260 million euros for the city last year. In addition, revenue from ticket sales finances the city's largest retirement home for hundreds of low-income seniors. Supporters also emphasize that the fighting bulls grow up freely on pastures for four to five years before they are killed.

The supporters' arguments

After the animals are killed, they are dragged out of the arena by mules, and the meat is later served in the city's restaurants. The criticism of bullfighting is nothing new: in travel reports such as those by the German scholar Wilhelm von Humboldt, there is revulsion over the "barbarischen und grausamen" bullfights. The Roman gladiatorial combats were banned as early as the beginning of the fifth century by Emperor Honorius. The American writer Ernest Hemingway processed the festival in his novel "Fiesta" (1926). Until the 18th century, bullfighting was a privilege of the nobility.

The debate over the future of the corridas and bull runs is likely to continue this year as well. While supporters point to the long tradition and economic significance, animal rights activists see the events as unjustifiable animal cruelty that cannot be reconciled with modern values.

The festival's organizers are also expecting hundreds of thousands of visitors from home and abroad this year. The mix of tradition, popular festival and international marketing makes San Fermín one of Spain's best-known festivals – and at the same time one of the most controversial.