I am sure each one of us has heard of La Tomatina if not witnessed it. It is the tomato fight festival held in Bunol, Valencia. It happens solely for entertainment and the people have a great time at this lively festival! It is celebrated on the last Wednesday of August and has been a popular tradition of Bunol since the 1940s.
La Tomatina Origin
The origin of the La Tomatina festival isn’t very certain but a popular theory says that dissatisfied public threw rotten tomatoes at the councilmen during a town celebration. I wonder if this is where the idea of rotten tomatoes as a measurement criteria originated?
What happens in La Tomatina?
The celebration or fight lasts about an hour or so and the city is all mushy with tomato pulp! It is advisable to wear goggles to protect yourself. The whole town celebrates this festival and thus most of the places remain shut so carrying food, water or whatever you deem necessary with you is a good choice.
Precautions
- Protect your eyes
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid violent interactions
- Ensure that the tomatoes are squished properly before you throw them
- Throw nothing other than tomatoes
Paella
Paella is cooked and eaten and is a very popular tradition for this event. The paella cooking contest takes place before the tomato fight. Also, Pre La Tomatina Party and Official After Party are both big events that are licensed and properly monitored as well under the Spanish licensing laws. The age limit for these events in 18 years.
Facts about the La Tomatina-
- Biggest food fight across the globe
- It has its origins in street brawl
- 40 metric tons of tomatoes go down!
- Due to their disinfectant properties, tomatoes will clear your skin. Thinking about visiting now, aren’t you?
- You will see so much even before the celebration starts – parades, fireworks and paella cooking contests, so much!
- Tomatoes are specially grown for the festival.
- Firefighters wash up the whole town post celebrations!
- Canon shots initiate the fight and alarm shots end it as well. You don’t get to throw after the alarm goes.
- Beware of the tomato acidity- it can sting and cause reddening!
La Tomatina got cancelled in 2020 due to the spread of Covid-19 but don’t feel disheartened, we are hopeful 2021 La Tomatina will be a blast!
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