08-07-2011

The Mardi Gras from Nueva Orleans, in Sanfermin

Kukuxumusu unites Sanfermin to the popular carnival from New Orleans with a crowded parade to the sound of jazz music through the central streets of Pamplona

Kukuxumusu celebrated the third edition of III Jai Day (‘The Day of the Fiesta') today, with a special homage to the Mardi Gras from Nueva Orleans. The characteristic jazz music from New Orleans was present of course, as was a giant-sized float, necklaces, caps and lots of carnival paraphernalia which were being thrown from the float in a colorful fusion of Sanfermin fiestas and Mardi Gras.

After the twinning of the Oktoberfest from Munich last year, it was the turn of the Mardi Gras from New Orleans this year to unite itself with Sanfermin. The celebration began at 6.30 p.m. in Estafeta street with the parade of a large float, more than ten meters in length. It was decked out in paraphernalia from fiestas, the Mardi Gras carnival and Sanfermin fiestas. The parade went through Duque de Ahumada, Carlos III, The Plaza del Castillo Square and the Paseo de Sarasate to the rhythm of the jazz band, Mr. Dixie Jazz Band.

Like an exact copy of the New Orleans parade, lots of paraphernalia was thrown to the crowds including 2.000 necklaces, wigs, caps, masks, whistles, tee shirts with a special exclusive Kukuxumusu drawing created for the occasion, and many other carnival material. Among the attendace, Mikel Urmeneta, Koldo Aiestaran and Gonzalo Domínguez de Bidaurreta, the three founder-members of Kukuxumusu, and Arnie Fielkow, councilor and vice-president of New Orleans City Hall. Mr. Testis, the Kukuxumusu blue bull accompanied the rest of the people on the float and he enjoyed himself hugely as he waved to the hundreds of people who watched the parade.

Arnie Fielkow, councilor and vice-president of New Orleans City Hall
Arnie Fielkow, who has visited Pamplona for the first time, expressed his appreciation for the homage from Kukuxumusu to his native city and he was very happy to have seen the Sanfermin fiestas "in situ". He invited everyone who was accompanying the float to visit New Orleans and its carnival. "Sanfermin and The New Orleans Mardi Gras are two of the best fiestas in the world and people should know more about them," stated Fielkow before he started necklaces to the crowd, as is the custom at the New Orleans carnival.

This is the third consecutive year that Kukuxumusu has organized Jai Day, an event which aims to homage and acknowledge the concept of the universal fiesta. After these first three "twinnings" (Tomatina in 2009, Bunyol in 2010 and this year's Mardi Gras), Kukuxumusu is already working on the next edition for next year's fiestas.