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Of all
the communities through which the Way of St James passes, Navarre is the one
that has been most influenced by the different cultural currents of the Way.
The continuous passage of pilgrims enriched the region’s economy and
artistic heritage, with the construction of hospitals, churches and hermits,
many of which are still conserved today. Pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela
wishing to discover and understand the diverse and European nature of the
Way of St James need to keep one specific appointment with Navarre. The
festival in honour of St Fermin held in Pamplona is a mixture of official
acts and spontaneity, of local traditions and outsider participation, of old
and new, of order and chaos. All this takes place in a long week starting
with the Chupinazo or firing of the rocket at 12 noon on the 6th July and
ending with sadness and expectation at midnight on the 14th. Religious
ceremonies, crowds of people and riotous encounters all take on a special
and unique meaning in Pamplona.
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