Spanish town gets soaked in red during tomato-lobbing Tomatina festival
The streets of a town in Spain were awash in red as revellers flung overripe tomatoes at each other in a high-spirited battle royale during the traditional Tomatina festival
Reuters
Published 28.08.25, 01:35 PM
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Revellers play in tomato pulp during the annual 'La Tomatina' food fight festival in Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, August 27, 2025. Reuters picture
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Revellers gather around a truck unloading tomatoes during the annual 'La Tomatina' food fight festival in Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, August 27, 2025. Reuters picture
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According to the Tomatina's official website, the festival originated during a brawl that ensued in 1945 when youngsters attempting to get a closer view of a parade knocked over one of the participants. Several people plucked tomatoes from a nearby stand as makeshift projectiles until police restored order. Reuters picture
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The following year, youths recreated the altercation, with some even bringing their own tomatoes. The event was briefly outlawed in the 1950s under General Francisco Franco's fascist dictatorship, but resumed in 1959 with certain rules. Reuters picture
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Revellers play in tomato pulp during the annual 'La Tomatina' food fight festival in Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, August 27. Reuters picture
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Revellers gather around a truck unloading tomatoes during the annual 'La Tomatina' food fight festival in Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, August 27. Reuters picture
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Participants play with tomato pulp during the annual 'La Tomatina' food fight festival in Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, August 27. Reuters picture
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Revellers play in tomato pulp during the annual 'La Tomatina' food fight festival in Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, August 27, 2025. Reuters picture
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A participant lies in tomato pulp, as people attend the annual food fight festival 'La Tomatina' in Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, August 28, 2024. Reuters picture
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Revellers, covered in tomato pulp, kiss during the annual 'La Tomatina' food fight festival in Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, August 27. Reuters picture