Thousands of people threw tomatoes at each other on Wednesday as Spain’s famous ‘Tomatina’ street tomato fight took place after a twoyear lockdown due to the Covid19 pandemic.
Trucks took 130 tons of tomatoes, which passed the point for participants to use in the “battle,” leaving the main street of the town of Buñol soaked in red pulp.
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According to the organizers, up to 20,000 people attended the festival, for which a ticket of 12 euros (approx. R$ 60) was required. City streets were closed and revelers were entitled to an hour’s tomato fight and a tube bath at the end.
The event was inspired by a 1945 food fight between children in the town located in a tomatogrowing region.
Media attention in the 1980s made it an international event, attracting participants from all parts of the world.
Local officials said they were expecting fewer foreign visitors this year, mainly due to ongoing fears over Covid19 in Asian countries.
Participants wear swimming goggles to protect their eyes while their clothing, typically tshirts and shorts, is covered with pulp.
This year’s celebration was not only the first battle since the pandemic began in Spain in 2020, but also had the added incentive of marking the 75th anniversary of the event and 20 years since the festival was declared an international tourist attraction by Spain be. It traditionally takes place on the last Wednesday in August.
See below photos of “Tomatina”
1 in 12 participants throws tomatoes at themselves during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022 — Photo: Portal/Juan Medina
Participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, on August 31, 2022.
2 out of 12 participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022 — Photo: Alberto Saiz/AP
Participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, on August 31, 2022.
3 out of 12 participants lie on crushed tomatoes during ‘Tomatina’ festival in Buñol, Spain on August 31, 2022 — Photo: Portal/Juan Medina
A participant lies on crushed tomatoes during the ‘Tomatina’ festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022 — Photo: Portal/Juan Medina
Four out of 12 participants throw tomatoes at each other during the ‘Tomatina’ festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022 — Photo: Portal/Juan Medina
Participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, on August 31, 2022.
5 out of 12 participants lie on crushed tomatoes during the ‘Tomatina’ festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022 — Photo: Portal/Juan Medina
Participants lie on crushed tomatoes during the ‘Tomatina’ festival in Buñol, Spain, 31 August 2022.
6 out of 12 participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022 — Photo: Alberto Saiz/AP
Participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, on August 31, 2022.
7 out of 12 participants lie on crushed tomatoes during the ‘Tomatina’ festival in Buñol, Spain on August 31, 2022 — Photo: Portal/Juan Medina
A participant lies on crushed tomatoes during the ‘Tomatina’ festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022 — Photo: Portal/Juan Medina
8 out of 12 participants take a shower with a hose after a tomato fight at the ‘Tomatina’ festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022 — Photo: Portal/Juan Medina
A participant takes a tube bath after a tomato fight at the ‘Tomatina’ festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022.
9 participants out of 12 throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022 — Photo: Alberto Saiz/AP
Participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, on August 31, 2022.
10 out of 12 participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022 — Photo: Alberto Saiz/AP
Participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, on August 31, 2022.
11 out of 12 participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022 — Photo: Alberto Saiz/AP
Participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, on August 31, 2022.
12 out of 12 participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, August 31, 2022 — Photo: Alberto Saiz/AP
Participants throw tomatoes at each other during the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain, on August 31, 2022.