Der Toro de Jubilo ist eine alte Tradition die in der spanischen Stadt Medinaceli jährlich um Mitternacht stattfindet. Die Veranstaltung beginnt, wenn ein Stier an einen Pfahl gebunden ist und brennbare Kugeln von Teer an seinen Hörnern befestigt sind. Schlamm auf seinem Gesicht und Rücken verkrustet, um sie vor den Flammen zu schützen. Die Teerbälle werden dann angezündet, der Stier freigelassen und Nachtschwärmer weichen dem Tier aus bis das brennbare Material verbrannt ist und dann Feuerwerke abgebrannt werden. Die diesjährige Veranstaltung wurde verzögert, weil Tierschützer die Stierkampfarena in Medinaceli besetzten. Die Demonstranten wurden von der Polizei entfernt und der Toro de Jubilo verlief wie geplant. Hier sind Szenen aus der diesjährigen Veranstaltung, und auch ein paar Bilder aus dem letzten Jahr..

The Toro de Jubilo is an ancient tradition held annually at midnight in the Spanish town of Medinaceli. The event starts when a bull is tied to a post and flammable balls of tar are attached to its horns. Mud is caked on its face and back to protect it from the flames. The tar balls are then set alight, the bull released, and revelers dodge the animal until the flammable material burns out and fireworks are set off. This year's event was delayed when animal rights activists occupied the bullring in Medinaceli. The protesters were removed by police officers, and the Toro de Jubilo proceeded as planned. Gathered here are scenes from this year's event, with a few photos from last year as well.

Police officers move to take away animal rights activists who tied themselves with a chain in middle of the bull ring, to protest the Toro de Jubilo, or Fire Bull Festival, in Medinaceli, Spain, on November 15, 2014. (AP

Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A Toro de Jubilo supporter (right) bites an animal rights activist as he and others block the bullring to boycott the fire bull festival on November 15, 2014 in Medinaceli. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Police officers remove animal rights activists as they block the bullring to protest Toro de Jubilo in Medinaceli on November 15, 2014. Police arrested some of the activists when they took them out of the bullring. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Police officers remove animal rights activists from the bullring in the early hours of November 16, 2014 in Medinaceli, Spain. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

A bull resists as is it tied to a post in order to attach flammable balls of tar to its horns in Medinaceli on November 16, 2014. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

People prepare to set fire to balls of tar attached to a bull's horns during the Toro de Jubilo on November 16, 2014. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

A torch is brought to the bull during the Toro de Jubilo Fire Bull Festival on November 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Revelers set a bull's horns on fire during the 2013 Toro de Jubilo in Medinaceli, Spain. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A bull tries to escape as people set fire to balls of tar on its horns in Medinaceli on November 16, 2014. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Revelers set fire to balls of tar on bull's horns during the Toro de Jubilo on November 16, 2014. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

A Fire Bull shakes its head during the Toro de Jubilo on November 16, 2014. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

A reveler uses a piece of cloth as a cape in front of a bull during the Toro de Jubilo on November 16, 2014 in Medinaceli, Spain. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

A Fire Bull stands in front of one of five bonfires set nearby during the Toro de Jubilo on November 16, 2014. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

A Fire Bull chases a reveler during the Fire Bull Festival in Medinaceli, Spain, on November 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

Revelers watch as a Fire Bull crashes one of the bonfires set around the area during the Toro de Jubilo on November 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A fire bull pauses with its tongue out during the Toro de Jubilo on November 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A Fire Bull runs after revelers during the Toro de Jubilo on November 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A Fire Bull walks in the arena during the 2014 Toro de Jubilo in Medinaceli. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A reveler uses a jersey as a cape ahead of a bull during the Toro de Jubilo on November 16, 2014. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Fireworks explode around a bull after the tar balls attached to its horns are consumed during the Toro de Jubilo festival on November 16, 2014. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Fireworks explode around a bull after its horns of fire have gone out on in Medinaceli on November 16, 2014. The sign spells out „Jubilo 14“ (viewed from the other side). (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Fotos: The Atlantic