La Tomatina (Tomato festival)
La Tomatina is a famous annual festival held in the town of Buñol, located in the Valencia region of Spain. It’s known for the massive, friendly food fight where participants throw tomatoes at each other, creating a sea of red pulp. The event takes place on the last Wednesday of August each year and attracts thousands of people from around the world.
The origins of La Tomatina are somewhat unclear, but the festival is believed to have started in 1945 during a local celebration when a group of young people started a food fight in a vegetable market. Over time, it grew into an organized event, and now it’s one of the most well-known festivals globally.
Participants are encouraged to squash the tomatoes before throwing them to avoid injury. The entire town is covered in tomato residue, and after the event, the streets are cleaned using fire trucks. The event is part of a larger week of festivities in Buñol, which includes parades, music, dancing, and other celebrations.
La Tomatina has become one of the most iconic festivals in the world, attracting not only locals but also thousands of tourists each year. Let’s dive into some more details:
The Event's Timeline:
The actual tomato fight usually starts around 11 a.m. and lasts for about an hour. Here’s how it typically unfolds:
- The "Palo Jabón" (Soap Pole): The event begins with a fun tradition called the palo jabón. A large ham is placed on top of a greased wooden pole, and participants try to climb it to get the ham. This can take a while, but once it’s retrieved, the tomato fight officially begins.
- Tomato Throwing: Once the signal is given (typically after the ham is retrieved or the hour mark hits), trucks full of tomatoes arrive, and people rush to grab them. The tomatoes come from nearby farms in the region and are often overripe, making them easier to squish and safer to throw.
- The Fight: For about one hour, participants throw tomatoes at each other in a chaotic but fun manner. The ground becomes slippery, and everyone is covered in red tomato mush.
- The Aftermath: When the fight is over, fire trucks usually arrive to spray down the streets and clean up the tomato mess. Participants, who are now covered head to toe in tomato pulp, often wash off in fountains or take part in community showers provided by the town. The streets are cleaned quickly, and the event leaves behind little trace of the chaos.
The Festival’s Evolution:
While the origins of La Tomatina are somewhat murky, it gained national and even international recognition in the 1980s, after it was featured in the media. Over the years, the festival has grown in size, with around 20,000 to 40,000 people now participating each year. It’s not just a local event anymore – it has become a global phenomenon, with people from all over the world traveling to Buñol to be part of it.
Fun Facts:
- The tomatoes: Around 150,000 tomatoes (approximately 100 metric tons) are used during the event. The tomatoes are specifically grown for the festival, ensuring that they are overripe and soft.
- Safety Rules: There are some important safety rules. For instance, participants are asked to squash the tomatoes before throwing them to avoid injuries. It’s also advised not to throw tomatoes at people’s faces.
- Tourism Boom: Because of La Tomatina's popularity, Buñol has become a huge tourist destination around late August. Local hotels and restaurants often get fully booked well in advance.
How to Participate:
- Booking: Tickets to participate in La Tomatina are usually sold online or through official tour companies, especially given the large number of tourists. The event is technically free, but a ticket might be required for access to certain areas.
- What to Wear: It’s recommended to wear old, comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting completely ruined (they will likely be stained permanently). Many people wear old white t-shirts so the contrast with the red tomatoes is visible in photos.
- Safety Gear: Some participants bring goggles to protect their eyes from the tomato pulp and to help with the splatter.
Local Traditions:
Though La Tomatina is the star of the show, the town of Buñol has several other events and traditions surrounding the festival, including:
- Parades: Colorful parades with floats filled with people throwing smaller food items or candies at the crowds.
- Music and Dance: There’s a week of music, dancing, and celebrations leading up to the big tomato fight, making it a lively, fun-packed week for visitors.
- Fireworks: Some years feature fireworks displays in the days leading up to the fight.
