Published on : Friday, September 2, 2016
The brave tourists worldwide and local have met at the end of August on the narrow streets of the Spanish city that hosts the Tomatina festival. Anxious to test their agility, participants from all over the world gathered in the main square of Bunol and waited for the official announcement of the City Hall.
To cover the costs of the festival, the city administration, heavily indebted, imposed a fee of 10 euros, which does not apply to locals, reports The Huffington Post newspaper. All officials announced that, in order to assure the “Red War” this year 130 tons of ripe tomatoes were used and portable showers were installed.
The festival roots can be found in 1945, when young people participating in a traditional parade in Del Pueblo Square began a fight, which was turned into a battle with tomatoes from nearby stalls. Police had to intervene and to force those responsible to pay for the damages. This is the most popular theory about the origins of the Festival. In the coming years, young people fought in the same place, the same Wednesday of August, but with tomatoes brought from home. In the 50s the festival was banned. But, after youth began organizing another festival known as the “funeral of tomatoes”, the celebration resumed.
Despite the apparent chaotic style, the “Red War” has his rules imposed by the City Council for the safety of the Festival. Among them: tomatoes must be crushed before being thrown away, there cannot be used other “fight tools” besides tomatoes and after the final signal, fighter are no longer allowed to throw tomatoes.
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