Thousands Participate in Traditional Tomato Fight in Spain

Buñol, Spain – Thousands of revelers descended upon the small Spanish town of Buñol for the annual La Tomatina festival, transforming the streets into a "red battlefield" with overripe tomatoes.

Participants from across the globe gathered to engage in the hour-long "battle," where the usual rules of daily life and politeness were suspended. Over 22,000 people participated, pelting each other with approximately 150 tons of tomatoes. To prevent injuries, festival-goers are required to crush the tomatoes by hand before throwing them.

While some participants wore goggles to protect their eyes from the tomato juice, which is said to be good for the skin, the event has faced criticism. However, growers maintain that the tomatoes used are cultivated specifically for La Tomatina and are unsuitable for consumption due to their consistency and taste.

After the "battle" concluded with a signal shot, participants, many of whom were foreign visitors, joined locals in cleaning the streets and each other with hoses in what was described as the "second half" of the fun. The origins of the unusual festival are unclear, with one account suggesting it began spontaneously in 1945 with young people throwing vegetables during a celebration.

La Tomatina has gained significant international popularity over the past two decades, leading to a cap on participants at 22,000 since 2013. Non-residents are now required to pay an entrance fee to join the festivities.

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Overripe tomatoes, great mood on the red battlefield