San Fermin Opening Ceremony "Chupinazo" 12 Noon

Noon 6th July outside City Hall Pamplona

The explosion of the fireworks rocket at midday on the 6th of July is the signal forthe start of nine days of non-stop partying This moment is marked by a rocket -the "Txupinazo" - which is set off to announce the start of the Fiesta. All morning,crowds gather in the "Plaza Ayuntamiento". It is often a hot day and there is not an inch of free space in the packed Square. The passion & intensity grows every minute until it reaches a crescendo at midday. At that point the Mayor and members of the Council step out onto the balconies of the Town Hall to greet the crowds. A nominated person shouts the announcement "Pamploneses, Pamplonesas, Viva San Fermín! Gora San Fermín!"(people of Pamplona, longlive San Fermín!)

San Fermin Opening Ceremony

The crowd responds with cries of "Viva!" and "Gora!" and therocket is launched into the sky. At this moment the square erupts as hundreds of bottles of Champagne are popped and sprayed liberally over the crammed crowd. The smart, clean clothes of the excited people take their first, but not their last soaking from the jets of spraying Champagne. All over the city the same collective madness bursts out and a whole new atmosphere reigns in the town. The first bout of drinking has started as thousands of bottles of champagne are guzzled down for the start of an uninterrupted party until the day of the 14th July arrives. Within a few hours many people will be on a high that will last for the whole week. The Chupinazo begins with such a high that for many people will last the whole week long.