On August 29, in the Spanish province of Valencia (municipality of Buñol), the traditional La Tomatina festival ended, which has won worldwide fame over the decades. Every year this unusual event attracts many fans of exotic entertainment from different parts of the world to Spain. In 2012, about 40 thousand people threw ripe tomatoes at each other in the main square of Buñol.
The first tomato slaughter in the Spanish province took place back in 1945, when a festival was held in honor of Our Lady the Protector and patron saint of the city of Buñol - Saint Louis Bertrand. Two of its members quarreled and began to throw ripe tomatoes at each other - the one that turned up under their hot hand. This is what a local legend says.
Since then, the amusing battle "La Tomatina" began to be held annually, only during the period when Francisco Franco was in power, it was temporarily banned. In the 70s, the tradition, beloved by the population, was revived, although the new Spanish festival was included in the list of official international holidays only in 2002.
The festival begins at the beginning of the last week of August and lasts 7 days. In 2012, Valencia hosted fairs, music and dance concerts, a parade and festive fireworks. On the night before the tomato battle, a traditional competition of masters for cooking the national Valencian rice dish, paella, was held. By morning, the windows of city houses were closed with plastic shields to protect against red "shells".
On August 29, 120 tons of the juiciest tomatoes were brought to Bunyon. Filled trucks quickly filled the main town square. Among the tens of thousands who gathered on the city streets were representatives from different countries, including Japan and Australia. The grand opening of the holiday took place at 10:00. According to the well-established tradition, a volunteer steeplejack was chosen. Before him was a difficult task - to climb to the very top of a tall pillar, smoothly planed and rubbed with soap.
When the six-meter height was overcome, the action began - the first tomatoes soared into the air. The rules of the La Tomatina festival say: before each throw, the fruit must be kneaded so that it does not injure the playing opponent. Many participants in the tomato massacre wear protective masks or goggles to protect their eyes. The amusing battle lasted for an hour, after which the tomato mass covered the entire surface of the square and began to reach people up to the ankles. The "fighters" were smeared with it from head to toe, but received a lot of positive emotions.
The signal rang out, signaling the end of the tomato carnage. The crowd streamed from the square in different directions, and the fire brigades washed the remnants of the battle off the pavement and (optionally) from the Tomatina participants. The Valencian authorities have spent tens of thousands of euros on organizing tomato fights. However, every year all expenses are covered by a stable profit from the arrival of a large number of tourists. According to some reports, "La Tomatina" each time brings Bunyol at least 100 thousand euros.
