There is a cry within every human heart for significance, for a legacy, for something larger than themselves, something transcendent. In different people this manifests in different ways, the student wanting the best grades, the star player wanting to score that perfect score, the businessman who is not in business for the money but sees in his organisation a legacy to pass on to another generation.
On the other, less noble, end of the spectrum people will be often quite desperate to leave their mark on the world, if only for a moment. Witness to this are all the crackpot "world record" attempts that leave some maimed at best. Well, there is one tradition in Spain that fits neatly into this latter category in my opinion. It is the running of the bulls in the city of Pamplona. Fox news carried the story here.
In what is now a spectacular 'tradition' people from all over the world fly in to Pamplona in order to run in front of a bunch of charging bulls down some narrow streets until they reach the bullring. Historically in honour of the patron saint of Pamplona (San Fermin), it begun around a hundred years ago and is now a massive event in Spain, being televised on national TV every year. With all the gory details of people being killed (really) and injured by the bulls.
Well, with all due respect to traditions, this guy here sittin' just don't get it! I mean, if you want to do something brave, go change the world! Leave a lasting positive contribution to society - for crying out load join the scouts and help a few kids! But really, run infront of a bunch of raving mad Spanish bulls and then boast to all my friends that "I was there in 2007"? It just doesn't click with me.
But maybe it does click with you - so click the following youtube video and make your own mind up (See ya there next year?)
Technorati Tags: Pamplona, San Fermin, Significance
