Spain: Runners Gored at Pamplona Bull Run

Facts

  • On Mon. the fifth bull run at the San Fermín Festival in the city of Pamplona, Spain, left three people gored and three others injured from falls.1
  • The bull run lasted just over three minutes with spectators running alongside the bulls through the streets. The run ended at the bullring where the bulls were later killed by professional bullfighters.2
  • This year's festival marked the first bull run to take place since 2019. Due to the COVID pandemic, the festival was canceled the last two years for the first time since the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War.3
  • The first bull run - which was held last week - injured six people. Three more runs are scheduled before the festival ends on Thursday.1
  • 16 people have died in the annual event since 1910, with the last death occurring in 2009. The tradition stems from medieval times and was made famous by Ernest Hemingway's novel The Sun Also Rises.4

Sources: 1CBS, 2NPR Online News, 3Daily Mail (a) and 4Daily Mail (b).

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Euronews. An overwhelming majority of Spaniards don't attend these barbaric, pre-historic events that not only celebrate animal abuse, but also put participants at risk. Spanish authorities must stop catering to the global spectators for money and put an end to this unnecessary cruelty.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Abilene Reporter. Bullfighting is extremely popular in Spain and is part of the nation's cultural heritage. The sport is lawful, and any attempt to ban it violates the cultural traditions and celebrations of Spanish heritage.