La Tomatina

La Tomatina

La Tomatina is a Spanish festival in Bunol, Spain, which is celebrated annually on the last Wednesday of August. The festival is located in the small Spanish village of Bunol, approximately 25 miles West of Valencia.

History of La Tomatina

Despite Bunol only having a population of 9,000 people, upwards of 40,000 people from all over the world attend La Tomatina every year. The festival began in the 1940s where, during a local parade, a group of young people decided to join in on the festivities by grabbing tomatoes from a nearby vegetable stand and began throwing them at each other. This continued through the 1940s, until local authorities briefly banned the festival in the 1950s. Locals were outraged on the decision to ban La Tomatina, and the ban was therefore lifted.

Why attend La Tomatina?

It may seem quite bizarre that so many people from across the world congregate in a small Spanish village to throw tomatoes at each other, but it works. La Tomatina brings not only the local community together, but also communities from across the world. It highlights the importance of enjoyment and unity, showing that, sometimes, it’s okay to embrace chaos and let it go.

Essentials when attending La Tomatina

1) Dress for the occasion – wear clothes which you don’t mind getting ruined! Over 145,000kg of tomatoes were thrown in 2015 and tomato juice is not so easy to wash out of your clothes!
2) Arrive early – given that thousands attend the festival, if you want to get into the action, getting a prime spot is very important. If you’re wearing your best clothes, pick a spot on higher ground for the best view of the chaos.
3) Stay safe – make sure you don’t accidentally grab a frozen tomato from the vegetable stand.
4) The Afterparty – head to a few of the local bars to enjoy a glass of Valencian vino.

As the streets of Buñol were washed clean yesterday, leaving no trace of the tomato- fuelled frenzy, participants carried home memories of a day filled with joy, colour, and the essence of human connection. La Tomatina continues to remind us that, sometimes, the most meaningful celebrations are those that bring us together in a moment of collective happiness and unbridled fun.