The 80th anniversary of the "Tomatina" festival is being celebrated in Spain

• Thousands of people are participating in the "Tomatina" festival in Buñol.
• The festival celebrates its 80th anniversary, marking a tradition that began in 1945.
• Tomatoes for the festival are grown specifically and are not intended for consumption.

In the midst of thousands of people in Spain, the 80th anniversary of the "Tomatina" festival will be celebrated, where tomatoes are thrown at each other. This event will take place in the town of Buñol, where 120 tons of overripe tomatoes will be delivered for the festival. More than 22,000 participants have gathered to take part in this extraordinary celebration, paying 15 euros for a ticket.

The "Tomatina" festival takes place in the last week of August. Its history begins with a spontaneous tomato fight among children in 1945. After being banned in the 1950s, the festival became popular again thanks to television broadcasts in the 1980s. In 2002, it received the status of an international tourist attraction.

The tomatoes used for the festival are grown exclusively for this event. The local deputy mayor, Sergio Galán, noted that without "Tomatina," these tomatoes would not have been grown. This year, the tomatoes will be sourced from the town of Don-Benito, which is located more than 5 hours away by truck.

At the festival, there are no teams and judges, but participants are advised to crush the tomatoes before throwing them to avoid injuries. Many participants use protective goggles and masks. After the hour-long event, indicated by a signal from a horn, participants can clean themselves in public showers, and the streets of the town are washed with water. Interestingly, those who want to wear white clothing, as is customary, are advised to stay away from citrus juices in the tomatoes to avoid stains.

Similar festivals also take place in other countries, including in Florida, London, Amsterdam, the Colombian town of Sutamarchán, and recently in Hyderabad, India. However, for Galán, the "Tomatina" will always remain a symbol of Buñol.

Tags: Europe/Culture