The mayor of Pamplona will preside over the July 7 bullfight: "No one is going to issue a decree banning it; the San Fermin festival will be whatever the people of Pamplona want."

The mayor of Pamplona, ​​Joseba Asiron, invites everyone to enjoy the "wonderful madness" of the Sanfermines with respect, a festival of "popular, accessible, and inclusive character" where the defense of human rights will be prominent, with a focus on Palestine, as a platform supporting the Palestinian people was chosen to launch the "chupinazo" (fireworks).

This was stated in an interview with EFE just days before the start of the festivities, the programming of which was designed entirely by the governing team, unlike the previous ones, when they took over after the vote of no confidence with the work already underway. This program includes "many nuances," among which "a strong popular bias" stands out.

As a first example, he cites the popular vote of the person or entity in charge of launching the "chupinazo" (fireworks launch), rather than "the mayor's finger-pointing." The chosen party, the Yala Nafarroa con Palestina platform , did so with a high turnout of "some 20,000 people, 10% of the population."

An election that rejects the possibility of politicizing the chupinazo, since "what is happening in Palestine has much less to do with politics; it has much more to do with human rights."

"What we are witnessing right now in Palestine is genocide, and the message the people of Pamplona are sending is one of solidarity, not politics," the mayor emphasizes, adding that: "We cannot look the other way while what is happening right now in Palestine is happening in one part of the world."

Among the aspects that distinguish her proposal, she cites her focus on combating sexist attacks and making the San Fermin festival as accessible as possible.

" Popular, accessible, and inclusive; I believe those are the hallmarks of the festival," asserts the mayor, who points out that "the Sanfermines are always on the path to improvement, regardless of who is in power."

In this regard, and after emphasizing that in the fight against sexist attacks , "Pamplona is a benchmark" and that "it is probably the safest city in existence for festivals," she acknowledged that there were aspects that could be improved compared to last year, such as communication.

For this reason, the City Council has worked with the feminist movement to ensure "more truthful, accurate, and timely information." What they won't do, she asserts, is "hide sexist attacks. That seems to me to be more than just playing solitaire."

Regarding the recurring debate surrounding the running of the bulls and bullfights—he will preside over the July 7th bullfight, as tradition dictates—he insists that "the Sanfermines have been, are, and always will be whatever the people of Pamplona want , and no one is going to come in with a decree or a signature to ban it."

"I think it's good that the Sanfermines are evolving, that there's a debate about what needs to be incorporated and what shouldn't," he maintains.

Regarding security, he points out that there is a problem that has more to do "with the party model than anything else, the alcohol-fueled, nighttime party model, which seems to be a breeding ground for certain behaviors to become exacerbated."

The goal, he says, is for "anyone, regardless of their ideology or sexual orientation, to feel respected, free, and safe in Pamplona."

For those thinking of attending Sanfermines for the first time, he says, "You have to come to Pamplona twice: once outside of Sanfermines; spring is a great time to come because the city is beautiful and you can experience a calm, orderly, and convivial city... and then you have to come during Sanfermines to see the contrasts."

"It's a crazy thing that, as a true San Fermin fan, seems like a wonderful thing to me," he declares.