Contributing Author: Sofía Fernández works as a IT technician, mother of two beautiful daughters, and wife to husband, Josh.
As a little girl, I remember attending the San Fermín festival, one of the largest and most celebrated festivals in Spain (and the world!)
Spain is not only known for its beautiful landscapes and flavorsome cuisine, it’s also known for its rich heritage and culture.
Hundreds of visitors from around the world come to the fiestas every year. Not only is the event huge, it’s one of the best in the world.
And while it’s known for its “running of the bulls,” that’s not the only event that takes place! There’s a lot of partying, street fiestas, and taste of traditional Spanish food.
So we decided to take our daughters, Isabella (8 years old) and Mariana (10 years old) to the event this year.
We thought that it would be the perfect opportunity for them to truly understand the vibrant culture of Spain, and their roots.
By the time we reached the event, the street party had already started. Of course, Pamplona is a relatively small city with a small population, but it triples during the festivities. I had to keep an eye on my little ones so that they didn’t get lost (as a parent, you know how mischievous kids can be!)
But all in all, we had a blast! There were drums, there was dancing, there was singing, and everyone—old and young—got together to celebrate the beauty of life!
It reminded me of family reunions when everyone in my family lived close (now they’ve moved abroad.) There used to be a traditional Spanish music with a feast, and San Fermín reminded me just of that!
This was the part of San Fermín I wanted my girls to experience—the joy of connecting with others and celebrating the gift of life.
After this, we went to see the running of the bulls. Don’t worry, I didn’t let them run off on the streets after the bulls like they had hoped (hubby included!)
There was a fence and we watched the bulls from behind the barrier. It was quite a sight! So many people were running after the bulls, chasing them, it was truly magnificent! I wish I could describe the sight but the only words that come to mind are remarkable and thrilling!
All in all, we had a lot of fun and if you’re coming to Spain any time soon, don’t miss out on the adventure!
The next day, we discussed the event at breakfast and I asked my girls what they learned. I was glad to know that they enjoyed themselves and learned about the history of their culture and heritage.
It helped us strengthen our love and bond, and it also helped me get a better understanding of them!
