Pamplona starts annual bull-running festival with a bang
A reveller wears a t-shirt soaked in wine during the 'chupinazo', which opens the San Fermin festival in Pamplona Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana Vera
PAMPLONA, Spain (Reuters) - Party-goers and bull-running fans packed the main square in Pamplona on Saturday to cheer the launch of a firecracker which marks the start of the northern Spanish city's annual San Fermin festival.
Decked out in white t-shirts and trousers stained pink by the wine that flows freely at the festival, the crowd danced and waved traditional red handkerchiefs bearing the image of the local patron saint.
The "chupinazo" rocket fizzed into the sky at midday (1000 GMT), officially opening festivities during which specially bred bulls chase runners through an 800-metre (0.5 mile) stretch of narrow streets each morning at 8 a.m (0600 GMT).
Revellers celebrate during the opening of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Jon Nazca
Over one million people attend the festival each year, bringing a hefty contribution to the local economy.
One of several bull-running events in Spain, the festival regularly ignites debate about the treatment of animals.
Protesters with fake spears protruding from their backs took to the streets on Friday to highlight what they see as animal cruelty.
Revellers hold up the traditional red scarves during the firing of 'chupinazo', which opens the San Fermin festival in Pamplona Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana Vera
(Reporting by Susana Vera and Jon Nazca; writing by Isla Binnie; editing by Jason Neely)
Revellers hold up the traditional red scarves during the firing of 'chupinazo', which opens the San Fermin festival in Pamplona Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraA band marches among the crowd of revellers during the opening of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraRevellers hold up the traditional red scarves during the firing of 'chupinazo', which opens the San Fermin festival in Pamplona Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraRevellers display a Navarra and Ikurrina flags during the opening of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraRevellers celebrate during the opening of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Jon NazcaRevellers hold up the traditional red scarves during the firing of 'chupinazo', which opens the San Fermin festival in Pamplona Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraRevellers celebrate during the opening of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraRevellers hold up the traditional red scarves during the firing of 'chupinazo', which opens the San Fermin festival in Pamplona Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraRevellers gather to attend the firing of 'chupinazo', which opens the San Fermin festival in Pamplona Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraA woman throws water at revellers during the opening of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraA woman throws water from a window at revellers during the opening of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraRevellers celebrate during the opening of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraRevellers celebrate during the opening of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraRevellers celebrate during the opening of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Susana Vera
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