The festival of San Fermín is a week-long, historically-rooted celebration held annually in the city of Pamplona. The celebrations start at noon on July 6th, when the opening of the party is marked by setting off a pyrotechnic “chupinazo” (rocket) and continues until midnight on July 14th.

While its most famous event is the running of the bulls through the streets, the festival involves many other traditional and folkloric events. It is known locally as Sanfermines and is held in honour of Saint Fermin, the joint patron saint of Navarre.

Its events were central to the plot of “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway, which brought it to the general attention of English-speaking people. With over a million people coming to participate in it, the event has become the most internationally renowned fiesta in Spain.

The Bailliage of Madrid wanted to acknowledge the popular celebration and join in the spirit of the event albeit from afar. Thus it was on July 14th, thanks to Bailli Elena Escribano in collaboration with Échanson José Luis Armengol that we gathered for dinner at the gastronomic Restaurante St James on Madrid’s Avenida Casa Quemada.

The prestige of the St James is deservedly earned for its rice and Mediterranean cuisine. As if this were not enough, its spectacular lounge and garden make it a magical space in any season of the year.

Dressed in white garments with sash and red handkerchief, the typical clothing of the fiesta, we enjoyed a welcoming cocktail, followed by a great selection of grilled fish and meats.

Adding to the special camaraderie that reigned we were delighted at the presence among other notables of the Bailli of Cantabria, the Bailli Honoraire of Ourense and the Bailli Honoraire of Madrid.

Vive la Chaîne!

Rosa Román Fernández
Bailli Délégué