Spain’s world famous ‘Tomatina’ festival is back
How a food fight 80 years ago led to an iconic festival
- The annual 'Tomatina' festival in Buñol, Spain, is celebrating its 80th anniversary, with 120 tons of overripe tomatoes set to be thrown by up to 22,000 participants.
- Originating from a spontaneous food fight in 1945, the hour-long event, held on the last Wednesday of August, gained national and international fame after being televised in the 1980s.
- The vast quantities of tomatoes used are specifically cultivated for the festival, not diverted from food crops, with many attendees travelling globally and paying 15 euros for entry.
- Participants are encouraged to squash tomatoes before throwing them to prevent injuries, and many wear swimming goggles and earplugs for protection during the chaotic battle.
- Once the tomato fight concludes, participants head to communal showers, and the citric acid from the tomatoes surprisingly cleans the streets, often leaving them tidier than before.