El apartado

Every day at one o'clock during los Sanfermines the bull ring turns into a procession of important and not-so-important people associated with the bulls who attend the apartado, which has become a social occasion in Pamplona. El apartado consists in separating the bulls in readiness for the afternoon bullfight. Beforehand lots are drawn amongst the matadors to decide which bulls they will be up against. For this their seconds establish three lots where the particular characteristics of each bull are considered. Having agreed on the lots, the pieces of paper with the numbers on are put in the hat of a Senior Herdsman (mayoral); they are then drawn out and allotted to the bullfighters in order of seniority. lt is at this point that the apartado proper begins.

As already mentioned the bull rite of the apartado has a particular social character in Pamplona. Personalities from the world of politics, the arts, business and, of course, fans of bull-fighting meet at the bar, prepared specially for the occasion, where they can enjoy the excellent sweetmeats of the bulls sacrificad the day before, helped down by a good Navarrese wine or a cool Andalusian fino sherry.