BUÑOL, Spain (EFE).— The Spanish town of Buñol has once again colored its most central streets red with 120,000 kilos of pear tomatoes in its world-famous market. Tomatina Festival 2024which this year offered its most VIP experience with tickets at 500 euros (556 dollars) to experience it from inside the trucks that transport the atypical ammunition.
Like every last Wednesday in August, this celebration, which celebrates 77 editions, exceeded expectations, with more than 20,000 attendees, including participants of various nationalities who bought their pass for 15 euros (16.68 dollars), and local residents, who were exempt from paying.
Everything to enjoy a party that emerged almost by chance by some young people in 1945 and which has already become an icon of the municipality of Buñol and the Valencian Community, as well as in a massive event whose images are broadcast around the world on television and social media.
Tomatina Festival 2024 in Spain: this is how the tomato war was experienced in Buñol
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Two hours before the beginning of the battle, the streets of the town of Buñol were taken by thousands of participants dressed in white t-shirts – as tradition dictates – who eagerly awaited the start of the festival, gaining strength with lunch, dancing or trying to win a prize. hanging ham at the end of a greased pole.
Buñol, the world capital of tomatoes, In eastern Spain, about 40 kilometres from Valencia, the festival began at midday with the traditional carcass that gives way to the slow journey along just 400 metres of the road of the trucks with tons of ripe and juicy tomatoes, not suitable for consumption but perfect as projectiles in this “pitched battle”.
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With a special security device made up of more than 150 Civil Guard agents, the preventive participation, for the first time, of the Valencia Firefighters Consortium and several volunteers with purple vests as points against gender violence, for 60 minutes the tomatoes flew in this international war in which everyone is the target of tomato throwing.
International tomato war
The president of the regional government, Carlos Mazón, got on a truck with the mayor Virgina Sanz, as he promised last year, and told the story of the celebration live on social media, in his opinion, “more international, not only from Valencia and the Valencian Community but from Spain.”
Diving goggles were not lacking as the safest way to protect the eyes from the acid of the tomatoes – which must be crushed before throw them so as not to cause harm—nor the costumes (cucumber, gladiator or onion), the mobile phone cases, hair updos, hats, and clothes and shoes that one is willing to throw away.
Participants included people from the rest of the community and from Spain, as well as from countries as far away as China, the United States, India, Japan, Australia, Canada, Great Britain and many places throughout Europe.
Tomatina Festival 2024 with a humid and warm atmosphere
Although cloudy, the humid and warm atmosphere has dominated the day, so the contenders They were grateful to be refreshed with water from buckets and hoses were thrown at them from various points in the street, windows and balconies of facades well protected with plastic, and even wood, to withstand this shooting of tomatoes.
The sound of another shell, which was awaited for a few minutes, announced the end of the Tomatina Festival 2024 in Spain, which left a picture of exhausted participants in Buñol after having released a lot of adrenaline for an hour, with white t-shirts in pink tones, tomato remains all over their bodies and streets turned into rivers of red and sticky lava.
With the the smell of tomatoes still in the air and the crowds were leaving the epicentre of the fight and heading for the showers. Work began on cleaning the facades and streets, which in a short time were left spotless and disinfected by the acid of the red fruit used as artillery in this original battle, which is already eagerly awaiting its 2025 edition.
Vigilance Celebration
There was a special security detail made up of more than 150 Civil Guard agents.
Gender-based violence
Valencia firefighters and volunteers took part in the protest against gender-based violence, wearing purple vests.
Visitors
From China, the United States, India, Japan, Australia, Canada, Great Britain and other places in Europe.
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2024-09-06 20:52:24
La Tomatina en español
Tomatina Festival 2024: A Vibrant Celebration of Tomato Throwing in Buñol, Spain
The town of Buñol in Spain recently hosted its 77th edition of the world-famous Tomatina Festival 2024, a unique celebration that brings together people from around the world to participate in a massive tomato-throwing battle. This year’s festival offered a VIP experience with tickets priced at 500 euros (556 dollars) to experience the event from inside the trucks that transport the tomatoes.
A Celebration Born from Chance
The Tomatina Festival has its roots in 1945, when a group of young people accidentally started a tomato fight during a parade in Buñol. Since then, the festival has grown to become an iconic event in the municipality of Buñol and the Valencian Community, with images of the tomato war broadcast around the world on television and social media.
International Participation
This year’s festival attracted more than 20,000 attendees, including participants from various nationalities who bought their pass for 15 euros (16.68 dollars). Local residents were exempt from paying, making it a truly inclusive event. The festival began at midday with the traditional carcass, followed by a slow journey along 400 meters of the road, where tons of ripe and juicy tomatoes were transported in trucks.
Safety Measures
To ensure the safety of participants, a special security device was set up, comprising over 150 Civil Guard agents, the Valencia Firefighters Consortium, and volunteers with purple vests as points against gender violence. Additionally, participants were advised to crush the tomatoes before throwing them to avoid causing harm.
Dressing Up for the Battle
The festival saw participants dressed in white t-shirts, as tradition dictates, with many adding their own creative touches, such as diving goggles, costumes, mobile phone cases, hair updos, hats, and clothes and shoes that could be easily discarded. The event was truly an international affair, with participants from countries as far away as China, the United States, India, Japan, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and many places throughout Europe.
Tomatina Festival for Children
Did you know that there’s a special Tomatina celebration for kids? Tomatina for Children is a unique event designed for kids between 4 to 12 years old, held on August 24th. It’s an opportunity for young ones to experience the fun and excitement of the Tomatina Festival in a safer and more controlled environment [[1]].
Getting to Buñol
If you’re planning to attend the Tomatina Festival, you can book a ticket that includes a bus ride from Valencia to Buñol and back, along with a mandatory entry ticket to the festival [[2]]. Alternatively, you can opt for official Tomatina Festival tickets from experts who are 100% dedicated to the event [[3]].
Conclusion
The Tomatina Festival 2024 in Spain was a resounding success, with participants from around the world coming together to enjoy this unique and exciting celebration. As the town of Buñol looks forward to its 2025 edition, we can’t help but feel the excitement and anticipation building up already. So mark your calendars, and get ready to join the world’s biggest tomato fight!
References:
[1] Tomatina de Buñol – La Tomatina 2025 Tickets
[2] Tomatina
La Tomatina en español
La Tomatina Festival: A Colorful and Juicy Experience in Buñol, Spain
La Tomatina, a world-famous food fight festival, takes place every year on the last Wednesday of August in the charming town of Buñol, Spain. This beloved event, which has been celebrated for 77 years, brings together people from all over the world to participate in a unique and exciting experience.
History of La Tomatina
La Tomatina, which translates to “the tomato” in Spanish, originated in 1945 when a group of young people started a food fight in the town’s central square. Over time, the festival grew in popularity, and today it has become an iconic event in Spain and a major tourist attraction. According to [[3]], La Tomatina is celebrated as part of Buñol’s week-long festivities in honor of San Luis Beltrán.
The Festival
During the festival, participants gather in the town’s streets, dressed in white, and await the start of the battle. At midday, trucks loaded with over 120,000 kilograms of ripe tomatoes make their way through the streets, signaling the beginning of the fight. For one hour, the streets are filled with the sound of laughter, screams, and the splatting of tomatoes as participants throw them at each other. The event is a true spectacle, with participants from all over the world taking part in the fun.
International Participation
La Tomatina has become an international event, with participants from all over the world attending each year. According to [[2]], in 2024, the festival welcomed participants from countries such as China, the United States, India, Japan, Australia, Canada, and Great Britain, among others. The president of the regional government, Carlos Mazón, even participated in the event, praising its international appeal.
Safety Measures
Safety is a top priority at La Tomatina. The event is supervised by over 150 Civil Guard agents, and volunteers with purple vests are present to raise awareness about gender violence. Participants are also encouraged to take necessary precautions, such as wearing goggles to protect their eyes from the acidity of the tomatoes.
Tomatina Festival 2025
If you’re planning to attend La Tomatina in 2025, you can expect an unforgettable experience. According to [[1]], tickets are available for purchase, with
