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A very popular festival in Spain,
La Tomatina is held every year on
the last Wednesday in the month of
August. This Spanish celebration takes
place in the town of Bunol of the
Valencia region in Spain. People from
around the world flock to this place
in great numbers to have a whole week
filled with cheer and mirth. Though
uncertain about its origin, it is
believed by many in Spain that La
Tomatina came into being in the year
1944 or 1945. Also, according to some
popular theories, La Tomatina finds
its genesis in some irritated townspeople
attacking city councilmen with tomatoes
during town celebrations. The event
was banned for having no religious
significance by Francisco Franco during
the Spanish State period. But after
his demise in the year 1970, La Tomatina
started to be celebrated in Spain
once again as one of its major celebrations.
During La Tomatina, people take part
in a harmless battle, fight with more
than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe
tomatoes. These festivities also include
music, parades, dancing and fireworks.
Moreover, on the night before the
tomato fight, a paella cooking contest
is held which is taken part of by
many people with much fervor.
The popularity of La Tomatina celebrations
in Spain can be gauged from the fact
that, every year more than 30,000
people from around the world come
to Bunol to participate in this event.
But, due to limited accommodation
facilities, people stay at the nearby
places such as Valencia and commute
to witness the mega event by bus or
train.
La Tomatina celebrations usually
begins at around 11 in the morning.
At this point of time, a ham is placed
on a large, greased pole, which is
also known as the cockaigne pole.
Whenever someone succeeds to bring
down the piece of ham, a canon is
fired and with this signal the battle
of tomatoes begins and the whole place
gets drenched in the color of the
tomatoes. Once the battle begins,
it is everyone for himself / herself
kind of situation. One can also participate
in this event geared up in protective
clothing such as safety goggles and
gloves. In addition, it is a rule
here to squeeze the tomatoes first
and then throw them at others for
safety. The battle continues for an
hour or two and ends at the firing
of the canon for one more time.
For more information on other important
festivals around the world, please
browse through the pages of .
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