Spain: La 'Tomatina', the largest tomato battle in the world gathered 18,000 people in Buñol

Hugo Ortuño

Thousands of people dressed in swimming goggles, bathing suits, shorts, flip flops and raincoats, are seen on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, while participating in the traditional 'Tomatina ', in Buñol (province of Valencia), in Spain. Just 30 kilometers from Valencia is Buñol, whose fame is due to a curious custom of its inhabitants: 'La Tomatina', the largest tomato battle in the world that is celebrated on the last Wednesday of every August. The holiday that was inspired by a food fight between boys in 1945 in the town, located in a tomato-producing region, is celebrating its 76th anniversary. The celebration, which brought together more than 18,000 people according to official data, used 150 tons (150,000 kilos) of ripe tomatoes of the 'pear' species as ammunition for the pitched battle between the attendees. Buñol, a small municipality with almost 10,000 inhabitants, doubles its population with the arrival of visitors attracted by 'La Tomatina'.