La Tomatina de Buñol: the tomato festival that will surprise you Spain is known around the world for its vibrant festivities and unique traditions. One of the most emblematic celebrations is the famous Tomatina de Buñol festival. If you are planning to come to Valencia at the end of August
Spain is known around the world for its vibrant festivities and unique traditions.
One of the most emblematic celebrations is the famous party the Tomatina de Buñol.
If you are planning to come to Valencia at the end of August to study in Hispania, Spanish school in our face-to-face Spanish courses or online Spanish courses, take the opportunity to go to the Tomatina de Buñol!
The Tomatina Festival is an annual event that takes place in the small town of Buñol, very close to the city of Valencia. In just 40 minutes you will arrive!
From its humble beginnings in 1940s, this celebration has evolved to become one of the most popular festivals and extravagant throughout Spain.
Every year, thousands of people from all over the world they meet at narrow streets of Buñol to participate in a tomato battle unprecedented.
During the Tomatina, participants throw tomatoes at each other, creating a sea of tomato juice and fun.
In this article we are going to tell you all the details of this festival: its history, where and when exactly it is celebrated, the amount of tomatoes used, its international impact and much more.
Do you want to join this party?
Well, prepare the tomatoes and let the battle begin! 🍅
La Tomatina de Buñol has a very curious origin.
It all started in summer of 1945. It was him last wednesday of augustand some young inhabitants of Buñol enjoyed the traditional parade of giants and big heads in the town square.
At one point, they wanted to participate in one of the parades and caused one of the participants to fall, who became so angry that he began to hit left and right.
Little by little, the rest of the people also began to get angry and throw tomatoes from a vegetable stand that was in the square, so this major incident ended with the public order forces trying to separate the people to end the tomato battle.
Happy with the result of the party, the following year the young people, this time intentionally, brought tomatoes and started another one again. red war, causing its ban at the beginning of the 50s.
The people of Buñol rebelled against this prohibition, celebrating the festival year after year.
As a new attempt at protest, in 1957, the inhabitants of Buñol took possession of a coffin where they placed a large tomato and celebrated the burial of the tomato with a procession accompanied by funeral marches.
All these events that occurred and all the people's attempts to preserve their tradition began to be echoed throughout the country that supported them, so in the end there was no choice but to legalize what was called the Tomatina festival.
Now that you know why Tomatina is celebrated, in this section we will tell you everything you need about it.where Tomatina is made.
La Tomatina It is celebrated in some streets delimited from the center in the town of Buñol, which is located in the province of Valencia.
During the day of the festival, the participants tomatoes are thrown each other in a great battle in the streets of the town center.
This bizarre tomato festival in Spain attracts thousands of people from all over the world every year.
To participate, you must pay an entrance fee.
The price of admission to La Tomatina in Spain can vary, but you can find tickets from twelve euros.
To buy them, simply access the official website of the Tomatina de Buñol and you can buy them there.
Below we tell you everything you need to know about the dates of the Tomatina.
What day is Tomatina?
It is always celebrated the last Wednesday of the month of August. This year the Tomatina will be the August 30.
The party in Buñol happens in the morning in a series of events that we will explain to you later.
The tomato war usually begins at half day, at 12.00, and lasts approximately one hour.
However, as we have said, before the tomato battle there are more events.
Very good! Let's talk now about how to celebrate this fun party and all the events that cover it:
On the night before in this town there is a party. It is true that the tomatoes have not yet come into action but you can now go to the fairgrounds and enjoy their beach bars and different attractions.
You will meet all the future participants, so it is a perfect opportunity to make new friends with whom to share the great battle that is about to begin.
Before the big event, we must go to the town square about the 9 in the morning to eat the buns that the Buñol City Council gives to everyone who comes to look for them.
It's time to climb the pole. For the Tomatina to begin, one of the attendees must climb the pole until they reach the ham that had been placed on top, Until it is reached, the party cannot begin.
Meanwhile, some people they sing typical songs of this festival. From the balconies of the houses, the neighbors throw buckets of water to the attendees.
When you start to hear a lot of applause, it means that some brave climber has managed to reach the ham and the party can begin.
At 12:00, while people scream «tomato, tomato», the trucks loaded with tomatoes honking, they leave them on the ground and people start throwing them as if there were no tomorrow.
The participants and all of Buñol are dyed a strong red color and after an hour, the battle ends.
Once the battle is over, the residents of Buñol take out their hoses and help the participants wash, others use the fountains to try to remove the red color that covers their entire body.
Let's talk now about tomatoes.
What is the origin of tomatoes What are used in Buñol?
Well, it turns out that these tomatoes are grown specifically for these holidays.
They come from the town of Chilches (Castellón), where they are less expensive.
They say they don't taste very good, so don't try them!
Remember that tomatoes are a little acidic. That is why it is recommended to use protective glasses and gloves.
It is the Buñol City Council the institution that is in charge of supplying the tomato festival.
Every year at La Tomatina in Valencia nothing more and nothing less than some 50 thousand kilos of tomatoes.
Can you imagine so many thousands of tomatoes flying through the air and scattered throughout the town? How crazy! 😝
Do you know that the Tomatina de Buñol in Valencia is not exclusive only for adults?
Little ones can join in the fun too!
This year will be the seventh edition of the Children's Tomatina, and is celebrated a few days before, the August 26 at 12 noon in the Plaza de Buñol.
Since its beginning in 2013, the Tomatina Infantil has given children the opportunity to enjoy this exciting experience just like adults.
This party is specially designed for children between 4 and 14 years old, and it is carried out the last saturday of august. The children's tomato battle lasts 30 to 40 minutes.
The battle rules are identical to those of the original Tomatina. But children are more sensitive to tomato acid and you should bring towels and clean clothes for them to change into.
And, of course, everyone must wear protective glasses, otherwise they will not be able to participate.
Access to the Children's Tomatina is completely free.
La Tomatina has become a very famous party internationally, and it is not surprising.
The idea of a massive tomato battle in the streets of a Spanish town is very appealing, making it a unique experience that many wish to witness and participate in.
Additionally, Tomatina has gained popularity over the years due to the media coverage and dissemination through internet and social networks.
Photos of the Tomatina and videos of people throwing tomatoes at each other have gone viral, generating curiosity everywhere.
For these reasons, the Tomatina de Buñol was declared in 2002 as Festival of International Tourist Interest.
This has caused the party to become an almost massive event in Spain.
Many tourists travel specifically to Buñol, known worldwide as the tomato town, to be part of this fantastic festival.
Furthermore, the Tomatina has established itself as a tradition rooted in Spanish culture and represents the joy, fun and festive spirit of the country.
The combination of elements such as music, the colorful atmosphere, the good vibes and the release of stress through the tomato battle creates a memorable experience that transcends borders.
Do you know that there is also a Tomatina museum?
It is located in the town of Buñol itself, and is ideal for those who want to learn more about the characteristics of this tradition.
The museum has a 270 degree immersive room where the Tomatina is recreated with videos. This way you can experience it almost as if you were there.
In this room there is also a concert by the Buñol music bands, another symbol of the town.
You will learn its fun history and a visit to the beautiful Buñol castle.
The town of Buñol is about 40 kilometers from Valencia. There are several options to get there from the capital:
It is the fastest option. If you don't have a car, don't worry because there are also options with public transportation.
You can access Buñol from Valencia by bus directly with thelines 265 and L265B.
With the line C3 By suburban train you can get to Buñol from the North Station.
Now you know everything you need to know about the Tomatina festival in Buñol in Spain.
Would you like to participate or have you already participated in previous celebrations?
Comment your experience!
Have a good day 😉.
Article written by Carlos Martinez for Hispania, Spanish school.
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