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PHOTOS: 10 amazing moments from San Fermin

Last updated on: July 17, 2013 10:10 IST
A fighting cow leaps over revelers into the bull ring after the fourth running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona

The San Fermin festival, which honours the patron saint of Pamplona, Spain, dates back to the late 16th century and is also known for its all-night street parties where copious quantities of red wine from Navarra and Rioja are consumed and sprinkled around.

Bullfights and the notorious bull runs, eight in all, are the highlight of a nine-day street festival. Each morning, six fighting bulls and six bell-tinkling steers that try to keep the beasts together head from stables to the ring where matadors will star in late afternoon bullfights.

The festivities, which ended on Sunday, attracts thousands of young people, eager to mix alcohol with the adrenaline of running alongside the massive bulls every morning. Dozens of people are injured each year, with gorings often producing the most dramatic injuries.

Let's take a look at 10 of the most defining moments from this year's celebration

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PHOTOS: 10 amazing moments from San Fermin

Last updated on: July 17, 2013 10:10 IST

Spanish bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla performs a pass to a bull on his knees during the seventh bullfight of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona

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PHOTOS: 10 amazing moments from San Fermin

Last updated on: July 17, 2013 10:10 IST

Runners sprint towards the entrance to the bullring during the seventh running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona

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PHOTOS: 10 amazing moments from San Fermin

Last updated on: July 17, 2013 10:10 IST

A reveller jokes around next to a sleeping couple during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona

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PHOTOS: 10 amazing moments from San Fermin

Last updated on: July 17, 2013 10:10 IST

Spanish bullfighter Ivan Fandino barely escapes getting gored by a bull during the fifth bullfight of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona

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PHOTOS: 10 amazing moments from San Fermin

Last updated on: July 17, 2013 10:10 IST

Revellers smile as sparks from the "Fire Bull", a man carrying a metal structure loaded with fireworks, fly on the fourth day of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona

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PHOTOS: 10 amazing moments from San Fermin

Last updated on: July 17, 2013 10:10 IST

An El Pilar fighting bull runs over a runner after goring him on Estafeta street during the sixth running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona

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PHOTOS: 10 amazing moments from San Fermin

Last updated on: July 17, 2013 10:10 IST

Revellers embrace next to a painted mural of San Fermin, patron saint of Pamplona, before the fifth running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona

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PHOTOS: 10 amazing moments from San Fermin

Last updated on: July 17, 2013 10:10 IST

Torrestrella fighting bulls take the Estafeta curve during the fifth running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona

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PHOTOS: 10 amazing moments from San Fermin

Last updated on: July 17, 2013 10:10 IST

Revellers hold candles and red scarves during the closing ceremony of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona. Thousands of people gathered in front of the city's town hall to sing the traditional farewell song "Pobre de mi" (Poor me). The song is sung by revellers to show their sadness at the end of the festival.

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Last updated on: July 17, 2013 10:10 IST

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