The most rojillo chupinazo, launched by the president of Osasuna, has kicked off Sanfermines 2023, nine days of festivities in which Pamplona projects itself to the world. Luis Sabalza, president of the club, accompanied by the coach, Jagoba Arrasate, has been in charge of haranguing the people of Pamplona with the traditional call to the party, followed by a tagline linked to the current situation of his club.
“Pamplonesas, Pamplonesas, long live San Fermin! Iruindarrok, gora San Fermin! And we will not give up. Aupa Osasuna! ”, He has launched. Next, he has lit the fuse with the help of a municipal technician. And the party has exploded.
In the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, much smaller than it appears on television, thousands of people have come to follow this moment live, with the usual crowd, some avalanches and protest banners.
If the main novelty in the formula used by Sabalza to call the party has been a soccer tagline, the same has happened with some of the banners hung in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. There, the message “Strong with the weak; weak against the strong”, in Spanish, Basque and English, as well as a banner with the slogan “UEFA Mafia”.
Both Sabalza's harangue and these messages criticize UEFA's decision to prevent Osasuna from participating in the Conference League as a result of a Supreme Court ruling, which in January upheld the conviction of the club's former leadership for match-fixing.
For the rest, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento has offered a classic image, already iconic, with a crowd wanting to enjoy the moment, the balconies to overflowing and some ikurriñas or Navarre flags with vindictive messages.
In the moments before the launch of the rocket, the classic San Fermín harangues were heard and also some shouts of 'UPN Kanpora' (UPN out), once Cristina Ibarrola, the new mayoress of the city, has come out on the balcony.
After the festive outbreak, the bagpipers and txistularis were the first to come out from the Town Hall to the square, to play the joyous biribilketa that makes the whole crowd jump.
With the chupinazo, 9 days of festivities begin, until the traditional Poor Me is sung on the 14th at midnight.
Today, the eve of San Fermín, is the favorite of the people of Pamplona, a long day that begins first thing in the morning with lunch before the chupinazo. At 5:00 p.m. the first exit of the Comparsa of giants and big heads will take place, and from 7:00 p.m. the first concerts. At 11:00 p.m. the first session of fireworks will take place and, afterwards, the concert by Ana Torroja in the Plaza del Castillo.
Tomorrow, the day of San Fermín, the first running of the bulls will take place, with six bulls from La Palmosilla and, afterwards, from 10:00 am, the traditional Procession. The entire festive program can be consulted at the following link.
