Overrun by a human tide dressed all in white, Pamplona, capital of Navarre gave Sunday kick off celebrations of San Fermin, which for nine days will vibrate to the rhythm of the city's legendary bullfighting.
At high noon, a rocket rises from the balcony of the town hall. This is the 'chupinazo' ritual launch festivities.
On squares and cobbled historic heart of the city, in the north of Spain streets, the frantic crowd jumps up, arms outstretched to the sky waving red scarves, yelling 'Vive San Fermin.
Since morning, the people of Pamplona, red sash tied around the waist, a proud tradition that has made them world famous city, mingled with tourists who enjoy the thrill of this legendary festival.
In the streets were already erect long tables where neighbors and friends together around hearty meats and frying.
- Tradition and Tourism -
'This is a traditional festival, always, it also represents the roots of our family, Navarre says Julio Alvarez, an economist 40 years.
'Of course, the festival has changed', says her friend Ana Caroaizcorbe, 43, recalling his childhood memories. 'Today, the crowd is much larger, but it also gives a different color. And the running of the bulls, religious processions, while it retains a traditional 'character.
By noon, the city of 300,000 inhabitants, invaded by hundreds of thousands of Spanish and foreign tourists, rocking in a whirlwind of euphoria, the rhythm of drums and trumpets. White clothes, sprayed with streams of sangria, purple dye was washed out, the bars fill up until dawn.
Until the streets, emptied the last revelers, washed, not fill again thousands of runners ready to start on Monday at 8 am, the first of the 'confinements' the running of the bulls.
In a few minutes, riders descend a golf 848.6 meters, with the encouragement of clusters of spectators perched on the balconies.
Those who dream of achievement, or more experienced, approach, to touch them, huge beasts, six fighting bulls guided by six oxen.
Others keep their distance. But often, clumsiness and inexperience of some, too reckless or otherwise terrorized, add to the danger.
- A dangerous ritual -
Sam Madden, a British electrician 26 years, came to London to experience the thrill of his first race. 'We do not know what to expect, maybe die, it will be crazy', he says, euphoric.
The 2013 edition had nearly turned to tragedy when 23 people were injured in a huge human cap.
While veteran runners have long called for greater security, the municipality has decided this year to sanction certain behavior, such as being 'stay on course while intoxicated, under the influence of drugs or being in full possession its physical or psychic 'means.
'The problem is people who fall within the scope without really knowing what a bull fight,' says Fermin Alonso, Councillor for Culture. 'Sometimes, the police must make drunk people out, or wearing sandals rather than shoes.
Dangerous ritual, which has killed 15 people since 1911, the last in 2009, will be repeated daily until July 14. The route leads the bulls to the bullring where they will be parked, pending their killing during the evening bullfight.
'The only thing I do not like are the bulls', says Julio Alvarez, referring to the abuse reported by animal advocates.
Lost in the Middle Ages, the origins of these holidays mixed religious celebrations in honor of San Fermin, the patron saint of Navarre, the tradition of trade fairs and the bullfighting.
But their celebrity will win the world in the early 20th century in the writings of Ernest Hemingway, American writer and journalist who makes the backdrop of his novel "The Sun Also Rises', published in 1926.
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