Tomato Festival
The city of Valencia is in the southeast of Spain. The tomato-throwing festival, which is attended by thousands of people on the last Wednesday morning of August in the nearby small town of Bunyola, is not unknown to anyone. In this age of the internet, how many people have been able to cope with this program? But even then, where else can we find the joy of throwing a tomato at someone else from the place?
The population in the town of Bunyola is very negligible. Outsiders did not come and go. Compared to that, a lot of tomatoes were cultivated here. The price was also very cheap. And at that time, it was better to say that exporting abroad was not so common or easy.
They would have wasted most of the tomatoes due to lack of proper use. Some people wisely start the tomato-throwing festival by dedicating it to St. Louis Bertrand and Mother Mary, the city’s most respected personalities. Gradually the festival spread through the mouths of the people. The interest in it is increasing day by day. As a result, the gathering of people continues to increase. As the population grows, so does the size of the festival. In 2012, about 40,000 people gathered at the La Tomatina festival. They sprinkled about 100 metric tons of tomato juice on everyone.
In a small town, four to five times the population, the authorities have struggled to cope with the crowds and maintain order. But it was a snake bite. Authorities began without tickets the following year. Tickets cost only 10 euros, but only for a permit. You have to arrange accommodation and travel yourself. Of course, there are dozens of private tourist companies for this. Huge foreign exchange earnings started centering on this festival. On average, more than 20,000 people play this tomato game every year. Why not? It is not such a game anymore. Fighting with tomatoes. Routine war. Then you understand, it is no longer just a game. It has become a kind of spectacular place in the heart of the world.
A report in The Guardian found that 100 metric tons of overripe tomatoes were imported from village farms. One hour of fighting costs 1 lakh 40 thousand Euros. As such, the cost per minute is 2,300 euros.
In 2002, the Spanish government declared it an ‘International Tourism Festival due to tourists’ huge enthusiasm and participation.’ Every year on this day, the city’s streets are turned into rivers with tomatoes by the tourists, including the locals. The festival starts in the morning and lasts till noon.
At the beginning of the festival, a huge piece of meat is placed on a slippery pole. If there is a condition, it must be brought down by climbing the pole. Keep it wet in the water with dance songs and hose pipes while bringing it. When the meat is unloaded, the tomato war begins. They throw ripe tomatoes at each other. There are also certain rules in the tomato game. For example, you must grind the tomatoes well before throwing them. You can’t throw anything other than tomatoes. You can’t throw any more tomatoes as soon as the ceremony is over, etc.
Many of the Tomato Fighters jumped into the nearby Bunyol River to take a bath. In addition, many homemakers of the city’s alleys are seen standing with hospice pipes to assist the guests in the tub. At the festival, there are singing sessions in different places in Bunyol city. Parades, dances, and fireworks also run throughout the week. Cooking competition at night after the Tomato War. It is like another world. Laughter, jokes, noise all around.
However, this popular game in Spain is no longer limited to Spain. Tomato Fighting Festivals are now held annually, including the United States, China, Colombia, and Chile. The Chilean city of Quilon hosts the Tomato War Festival. Last year, at least 7,000 people took part in the battle to throw tomatoes. More than 40 tons of tomatoes are used there. On that day, all the youths came and appeared in the streets of the city. Scattered around are a few tons of ripe tomatoes and buckets of its juice. When everyone is present, then throwing stars. The first festival in Chile was organized by Miguel Pedreras and some of his friends. However, the administration has now taken full responsibility.