La Tomatina is a festival held at Buñol’s Valencian town; which is 30km far from Mediterranean Sea. It is a complete festival of fun where only tomatoes were used to through with some rules and guidance. The festival is going on since 1945; when during the Giants and big-heads parade a fight broke out between some youths. However, they used to protect themselves by throwing tomatoes which kept nearby a vendor. The police objects and said them to bear the losses. This incident was memorized by youths who again begin to fight next year on the parade by throwing and wasting kilos of tomatoes each other. However, the city council banned this for some year due to injuries and fights. Since 1957, the same began with a ‘Tomato Funeral’ which is continuing till date.
La Tomatina today is a famous festival held in various parts of world. However, Buñol’s is famous as more than 40 metric tons or around 1.5 million tomatoes were used on the day. The tomato fight is a one hour program where tomatoes were used after crushing to harm or injure others. Participants are allowed to wear gloves and goggles to protect themselves. Only pure crushed tomatoes are allowed; not any projectiles; participants should not rip or tear or throw t-shirts; they should give a way to the Lorries or trucks; no throws after indicating the second shot.
Every year more than 40 thousand people were participating in La Tomatina festive of Buñol. The same was been followed in many countries as game of fun and love. In Indian cinema, film ‘Zindegi Na milegi dobara’ tomatina was produced with 1crore rupees of tomatoes to make tomatina festival. It helps spreading the Spanish culture and festivals to India and world widely. To know more about the festival La Tomatina, visit the official website here.
