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The
Tomato War is scheduled for the last Wednesday of
August and takes place in Bunol, which lies east of
Valencia. This tiny town, Bunol converts into a hub
akin to a theme park that only
works on the principle of a food-fight. This makes it a sure
shot way of relieving pent up emotions for many and
a primitive form of energetic revelry for others.
It
is almost like going back into childhood and doing
the impolite thing - throwing food -
considered almost a sin, this action typically earned one the tag of being
uncivilized as well. But, the Tomato War rids one of all
guilt as it comes with a cultural license and so has
many takers! Truckloads of overripe tomatoes are
dumped in the middle of the town for participants to
throw at each other and an hour-long free-for-all
ensues that leaves the streets awash with a river of
tomato pulp and participants exhausted from the
efforts.
Historical insight into the Tomato War
La
Tomatina was born during the town's annual fiestas
in 1944 when two rival groups of youth fought with
each other using ammunition filched from an
overturned vegetable stall. The civic authorities
tried in vain to suppress it for many years but
later sensibly realized that it could develop into a
major crowd-pulling event, which it did. In fact,
the Tomato War is now the focus of international
media attention, bringing into Spain thousands of
truckloads of tourism generated revenue!
So much so that the 9000 inhabitants of the tiny
village of Bunol find tourists by the thousands
almost overnight before the Tomato War is to begin -
enthusiastically scouting for spots in the streets to
witness the opportunity of a lifetime - only at The Tomato
War!
The Tomato War: squash'em poddner!
Mid-day
will find close to 30,000 odd
participants in the Tomato War, well-fed and
nourished by the locally made pancetta, chorizo and
lots of rose, just waiting to face the action offered
by copious soakings. The crowds congregate to
witness this absolutely messy celebration of
frenzied flinging, slinging and squashing of
tomatoes against all-with no discrimination of sex
as men and women both get their fair share.
The
rules of the Tomato War are simple: squish your
tomato before sending it into the red blur of the
crowd. The use of other projectiles is
prohibited. A veritable free for all in terms of
red, squishy projectiles aimed to mess up clothes,
make-up and the ability to recognize any friends!
That's the spirit of La Tomatina.
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