The list of cancelled events for 2020 is getting longer each day, the obvious reason being the coronavirus pandemic. Just like the Oktoberfest in Germany, Spain’s world-renowned bull-running festival has also been cancelled now. Thousands of people from various countries participate in the festival each year in white shirts, carrying red bandanas. Those who were planning to be a part of it this year sadly have to wait till 2021.
What Is It?
The Spanish bull-running festival, popularly known as San Fermin, is an eight-day festival that takes place annually in the Pamplona city of Spain, in the month of July. Apart from the bullfights, the fest also incorporates singing, dancing, fireworks and loads of merrymaking with drinks. This festival is the central theme of a lot of documentaries and feature films. Some good examples are Running with Bulls by Jason Farrel and San Fermin’19 by Daniel García. We have also caught glimpses of the festival in Hrithik-Katrina starter Bollywood hit Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Unquestionably, it is one of the most wonderful fiestas in the world.
The festival was last cancelled entirely in 1978 due to political unrest. It didn’t happen for one day in 1997 after the assassination of a Basque politician.
Also Read: For The First Time After World War II, Germany Cancels Oktoberfest In The Wake Of COVID-19
What Else?
As we have mentioned Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, the La Tomatina festival must have come to your mind already. It is the world’s largest tomato fight festival that takes place in Buñol, near Spain’s Valencia city. La Tomatina was scheduled to take place on 26th August this year. But, as you might have already guessed, it has been cancelled as well.
Also Read: Kerala’s Biggest Temple Festival Has Been Cancelled For The First Time In Years Due To Coronavirus
If you had a bucket list of international festivals to attend this year, don’t feel disheartened. Many of them are going online, just as Japan’s cherry blossom festival did. After all, reaching thousands of destinations from the comfy of the sofa is one kind of luxury too.