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Image: A bull runner falls down

Europe

Runners Dodge Bulls in Pamplona

Tens of thousands of people gather in Pamplona to witness and take part in the bull runs and bullfighting festivities.

/ 20 PHOTOS
Image: Participants hold red scarves

Participants hold red scarves as they celebrate the 'Chupinazo' (start rocket) to mark the kickoff of the San Fermin Festival, in front of the Town Hall of Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 6, 2017.

The annual Fiesta de San Fermin, made famous by the 1926 novel of US writer Ernest Hemmingway entitled 'The Sun Also Rises', involves the daily running of the bulls through the historic heart of Pamplona to the bull ring. The festival, locally known as Sanfermines, is held annually from July 6 to 14 to commemorate the city's patron saint, San Fermin. Many of the visitors physically participate in the highlight event, the running of the bulls, where they attempt to outrun the bulls along a route through the narrow streets of the old city.

— Miguel Riopa / AFP - Getty Images
Image: A man jumps from a fountain

A reveller jumps from a fountain at Navarreria Street as people enjoy the opening day on July 6.
— Pablo Blazquez Dominguez / Getty Images
Image: A woman has sangria poured on her

Samantha Kane Gale, an American who lives in Paris, has sangria poured on her on July 6.
— Jim Hollander / EPA
Image: A runner falls under a fighting bull

A runner falls down under Cebada Gago's fighting bulls.

Revellers take part in eight days of the running of the bulls each morning with bullfights in the evening. The sprint, which typically attracts about 2,000 runners, lasts just under three minutes as participants dressed in white and wearing red neck scarves run from a dozen bulls along a winding, 848.6-meter course.

— Cesar Manso / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Anti bullfight protesters hold up their hands

Anti-bullfight protesters hold up their red painted hands on July 8.
— Alvaro Barrientos / AP
Image: People observe the first bull run

People observe the first bull run from their balconies on July 7.
— Villar Lopez / EPA
Image: A bull runner falls down

A runner or 'mozo' falls down as the bulls chase runners along the Estafeta street during the sixth 'encierro' or bull run on July 12.

— Jesus Diges / EPA
Image: Roberto Garrido

Spanish bullfighter Roberto Garrido prepares before a bullfight on July 9.
— Alvaro Barrientos / AP
Image: Bullfighters enter the arena

Bullfighters make the 'paseillo,' or ritual entrance, into the arena before a bullfight on July 10.

— Alvaro Barrientos / AP
Image: Bulls chase runners

Bulls chase runners at the entry to the bullring during the sixth bull run on July 12.

— J.P. Urdiroz / EPA
Image: Bullfighter fights with his bull

Spanish bullfighter Juan Bautista fights with his bull on July 7.
— Jesus Diges / EPA
Image: Runners sprint ahead of bulls

Runners sprint ahead of bulls during the sixth running of the bulls on July 12.

— Susana Vera / Reuters
Image: Revelers sleep on the grass

Revelers sleep on the grass on July 8.
— Susana Vera / Reuters
Image: Revelers run from the Fire Bull

The Fire Bull, a bull figure packed with fireworks, is run through the streets on July 7.
— Joseba Etxaburu / Reuters
Image: Animal rights advocates protest bullfights

Animal rights protesters break mock banderillas, covering themselves in red powder during a demonstration for the abolition of bull runs and bullfighting on July 5. The activists from animal rights groups People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and AnimaNaturalis wore horns on their head and bore slogans including 'Stop Bull Fights' painted in black on their chests.
— Susana Vera / Reuters
Image: Young boys run next to a toy bull

Boys run next to a toy bull imitating the running of the bull, during the ''Encierro Txiki'', just for young runners on July 10.

— Alvaro Barrientos / AP
Image: A wild cow leaps over revelers in the bull ring

A wild cow leaps over participants in the bull ring following the fourth running of the bulls on July 10.
— Joseba Etxaburu / Reuters
Image: A man jumps the bull ring barrier

A ''Recortador'' participant jumps the barrier while being chased by a calf during the ''Recortadores'' festival on July 9.
— Alvaro Barrientos / AP
Image: Giant-headed figures, known as Kilikis, parade on the street on Saint Fermin's day at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona

Giant-headed figures, known as Kilikis, parade on the street on July 7.
— Vincent West / Reuters
Image: Bulls chase runners

Bulls from the Jandilla bull ranch chase runners at the Mercaderes stretch during the fifth bull run on July 11.

— Villar Lopez / EPA
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