What Makes Spain’s Tomato Festival So Exciting?
Spain’s Tomato Festival, known as La Tomatina, is a one-of-a-kind event that draws thousands of visitors each year to participate in this epic tomato-throwing battle. Here’s everything you need to know about this unique festival.
Introduction to La Tomatina
La Tomatina is renowned as Europe’s largest tomato-throwing festival. It began in 1945 with an impromptu food fight among local vendors. Initially banned due to its lack of religious significance, the festival was revived after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco. It was reestablished by locals as a way to pray for a bountiful harvest and to honor the city’s patron saints, Louis Bertrand and the Virgin Mary of the Forsaken.
This vibrant festival is celebrated in Spain, attracting around 30,000 visitors each year. Despite its popularity, only about 8% of the participants are locals, with the majority coming from countries like Australia, the UK, Japan, and more.
When and Where Is La Tomatina Held?
La Tomatina takes place annually on the last Wednesday of August, lasting for a full week. The festival coincides with the feast day of Saint Louis Bertrand and the Virgin Mary of the Forsaken. Thus, La Tomatina is not only a celebration of a bountiful harvest but also a tribute to these two revered figures.
The festival is hosted in Buñol, a small town in the Valencia region of Spain. During the festival, Buñol transforms into a bustling hub, welcoming over 30,000 tourists eager to join the chaotic tomato fight.
What to Expect at La Tomatina
Festivities kick off early in the morning with trucks delivering tons of ripe tomatoes to Plaza del Pueblo, the town square. The tomato-throwing only starts when someone retrieves a piece of ham (jamón) from atop a greased pole.
In recent years, a starting gun signals the beginning and end of the tomato fight. The battle officially starts at 11 a.m., and once the gun fires, participants eagerly hurl tomatoes at each other amid cheers and laughter. The chaotic and noisy fight typically lasts between one to two hours, turning the town red. As the battle concludes, fire trucks hose down the streets, and participants head to the nearby Buñol River to wash off the tomato remnants.
Today, La Tomatina remains a distinctive cultural event in Buñol, with other countries like Colombia and China even emulating the festival.
