English
The town of Buñol in the province of Valencia has reinvented itself thanks to the Tomatina. It´s the most popular festival not only on a regional scale but also on a Spanish and worldwide scale, being declared a festival of National Tourist Interest. It¡s a war of tomatoes where there´s also no lack of food nor drink. You will bathe in tomato juice in a battle in which the only weapon is this vegetable. It´s a great plan to blow off some steam and get rid of the stress you accumulate all year long.
Photo: flydime
The festival takes place on the last Wednesday in August (this year it´s the 28th. Its origins and deeply-rooted tradition means that it´s impossible not to relate the town of Buñol with the smell of tomato. La Tomatina is the most popular festival in this town of 10,000 people that, nearing the date of the festival, triplicates its number of inhabitants.
It all began with a parade of giants and big-headed figures during a festival that was a tribute to the town´s patron saint in the summer of 1944. That was when there was an uprising of those who were not allowed to participate and they began to chuck vegetables at the parade. It was a truly spectacular event. The battle was repeated the following year and, after it being banned many times, it was instated as an official festival of Buñol in 1959. It was a public outcry.
For it, they need around 100,000 kg of tomatoes, although they are mostly from low-quality crops, since the times aren´t all that in order to waste food in a good state. Also, it has to be said, the tomatoes are ripe because, of the contrary, they could hurt someone on impact. The tomatoes come from the co-op of Xilxes (province of Castellón), where they are cheaper and are grown especially for the festival. The quality is bad and that´s why they are bought there, so they don´t have to waste the good ones. This year, the council of Buñol has limited the attendants to 20,000 people, since last year 10,000 people more than expected turned up.
Before the Tomatina (which is from 11am until 12pm), the party is also ensured. It all starts with the empalmá, which is partying all night and not sleeping at all, linking the night out with breakfast. The night is young indeed. The night before the event, all the shop-owners board up the windows and doors of their businesses as they will most likely end up covered in tomatoes. When the party finishes, rivers of red run down the town and it almost seems like it´s the site of a massacre.
Here´s a tip you´ll need: I recommend that, for that day, you wear the oldest and most ugly clothes you have since they will most likely be going straight to the rubbish bin at the end of the day. When the vegetables start flying, it´s important that you use protecting glasses and gloves in order not to get hurt. It´s also recommended that you squash the tomatoes a bit before throwing them so you will prevent someone from getting a huge bruise. The one positive thing about having tomato all over your face is that you will go home having the skin of a child, as tomatoes have excellent properties for your skin.
So the question is, how to get to Buñol? If you go by car, take the N-3 road and take the exit 332 (Buñol); by train, you can take the C-3 line Valencia-Sant Isidre and by bus, the town is also accessible. You have no excuses for not attending one of the most fun festivals in the region of Valencia, Fallas permitting of course. However, you must remember: if you go there once, you will definitely come back.
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