The event basically starts with all of the people that are participating line up at the starting line. The bulls are released once the flare gun is shot up in the air. Once everyone sees the bulls behind them, they start running for their lives. What is interesting about bull runs is that they originated here in Spain around the 14th century. Along with fun, injuries and death accompany this tradition. Each year 50 - 100 people are injured during the race. Charlotte, a bull runner in July of 2013, said, “Last summer, in 2013, was my first experience at the San Fermin Festival, and oh boy! It was crazy! The one thing that I couldn’t have expected is the incredible amount of energy in the city. It literally goes from quiet sleepy Spanish town to FIESTA CENTRAL in one night! So many happy, laughing, drunken faces everywhere. Everybody is on such a high, everybody is there to have fun, everybody is there to be respectful.” "Bullfighting is a cruel blood sport that should have been relegated to the history books a long time ago," argues the animal right group Peta. "No matter what its history is, bullfighting consists of the torture, mutilation and slaughter of animals for entertainment." Although this culture has its pros and cons, it is embedded into the culture. It is very influential to all the participants that even though there are injuries and deaths, it remains to be celebrated. Bad or good, this is one of Spain’s main aspect of culture.
by Joseline Saucedo