TeaThe streets of a town in eastern Spain were filled with red on Wednesday (August 28, 2024) as people hurled ripe tomatoes at each other in spirited fights during the traditional Tomatina festival.
Around 22,000 participants, dressed in white clothes smeared with tomato pulp, take part in the frenzy in Bunol – located 40km (25 miles) west of Valencia – each year during the last week of August.
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.
Photo: Reuters
Participants in ‘La Tomatina’ lie in tomato pulp.
Photo: Reuters
Participants take part in the annual food fight festival ‘La Tomatina’ in Bunol, Spain.
Photo: Reuters
A fruit company employee helps load tomatoes onto a truck to be used in the Tomatina War.
Photo: Reuters
Bunol resident Alejandro Rentros (79) has been working at Tomatina for 40 years.
Photo: AP
People throw tomatoes at each other during the “Tomatina” festival.
Photo: Reuters
A participant holds a Palestinian flag among people attending the annual tomato fight festival.
Photo: AP
During the festival people lie in a pool of crushed tomatoes.
Photo: Reuters
Participants smile and pose for photographs.
Photo: AP
People throw tomatoes at each other during the annual “Tomatina” tomato fight festival.
Photo: Reuters
Participants covered in tomato pulp during ‘La Tomatina.’
Photo: Reuters
A contestant covered in tomato pulp watches.
Photo: AP
People clean up the street after the annual “Tomatina” tomato fight festival.
Photo: AP
After the “Tomatina” festival people clean the street using water pipes, brooms, etc.