Pamplona, the city famous for its traditional San Fermin festival, didn’t just attract adrenaline junkies this year. It also became a stage for political activists with a loud and clear message. The pro-Palestinian platform “Yala Nafarroa con Palestina” was chosen by public vote to open the nine-day festival, sparking a storm of reactions.
The San Fermin festival, dating back to the 16th century, is world-renowned for its bull runs that draw tens of thousands of visitors. But this year, instead of just adrenaline and tradition, the festival kicked off with fireworks and a political statement supporting Palestine.
Eduardo Ibero Albo, a member of the platform, said their participation was “an opportunity for Palestine to have a voice.” The organization openly accuses Israel of genocide and uses their appearance to highlight the suffering of Palestinians. This message comes amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began in October last year when Hamas invaded southern Israel, killing around 1,400 people and taking hostages, while Palestinian sources report over 1,256 Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip.
This political message at a festival that has symbolized tradition and fun for centuries has sparked mixed reactions. Some support raising awareness about the Palestinian tragedy, while others think mixing politics with the bull-running festival is inappropriate and controversial.
Is this the start of a new era where traditional festivals become platforms for political messages? Or just a passing trend? Either way, Pamplona this year is not just a city of adrenaline but also political tension.
Got a hot take on mixing tradition and politics? Or maybe a joke about bulls and diplomacy? Drop it in the comments — we’re all ears for some fun and debate!
