The streets of a town in eastern Spain were filled with red on Wednesday as people hurled ripe tomatoes at each other during the traditional Tomatina festival.
Participants take part in the annual food fight festival ‘La Tomatina’ in Bunol, near Valencia, Spain. Photo courtesy: Reuters
Around 22,000 participants, dressed in white clothes smeared with tomato pulp, take part in the frenzy in Bunol (located 40 km (25 miles) west of Valencia), which takes place every year during the last week of August.
Seven trucks delivered 150 tons of ripe pear tomatoes to eager roasters, many of whom came from abroad. Non-residents pay a fee of 15 euros ($16.70), while Bunol locals enjoy it for free.
A participant wrapped in tomato pulp looks on as people take part in the annual food fight festival ‘La Tomatina’ in Bunol. Photo courtesy: Reuters
“We love tomatoes! So we decided to come here and we had a great time,” said Taylor, who is from Australia, adding that she and her friends “will make spaghetti to eat with the sauce.”
The hour-long battle was kicked off with a fireworks display after one contestant climbed a slippery soap-coated pole and managed to snatch a leg of ham hanging overhead.
Senum from Kenya described the event as “beautiful, amazing, creative, mind blowing”.
Participants wrapped in tomato pulp pose during the annual Food Fight Festival. Photo courtesy: Reuters
After the friendly bout was over, a cleaning crew armed with water hoses was dispatched to clear away trash from the city streets, which were shining thanks to the tomatoes’ natural acidity.
The fruits grown specifically for this festival are considered too sour for human consumption.
Participants pose for photos while enjoying the traditional festival. Photo Credit: Reuters
According to the official Tomatina website, the festival began during a clash in 1945 when young people trying to get a closer look at the parade pushed one of the participants. Many people smashed tomatoes as makeshift projectiles from a nearby stand until police restored order.
The following year, young people reenacted the dispute, some even bringing their own tomatoes. The event was briefly banned in the 1950s under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, but was resumed in 1959 with some restrictions.
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