October 2, 2013

LA TOMATINA - ANOTHER GREAT SPANISH FESTIVAL ...


                                              LA *T*OMATINA, SPAIN

Each summer, the 10,000 residents of Buñol (below) like to paint the town red. They are joined in this by thousands of tourists who visit the Valencian town to take part in the world's largest tomato fight, the Tomatina.










What began as a foodfight of,err, tomatoes, between neighbours back in 1945 has
grown into an international event. But this year one thing has changed.


The Tomatina used to be a free-for-all, but like many other cultural mainstays of
the Spanish calendar, it has been hit by the recession. For the first time, this year's visitors have had to peel off (sorry!) at least €10 (£9) for the privilege of pelting each other and random passersby with tomatoes. For €750, you can go even further, and jump onto one of the trucks that carry the tomatoes into the town, thus giving yourself the advantage olaunching the first attacks.



The fact that throwing a tomato is no longer free is being seen as a sign of the times. La Tomatina has become "a great metaphor for the economic crisis that is crippling Spain," according - rather melodramatically - to El País newspaper: "It is an irresistible image: the round, red fruit bursting like a mirror of the bursting of the real estate bubble, the financial bubble, the debt bubble." 

Looks though, judging from these photos from the festival, as if "crisis" is the last thing on anyone's mind!



These scenes remind anyone of events from the late great Dexter?



Enjoy!

Nora 

29 comments:

Eden House News and views said...

What messy fun. We have a a medieval Plum fayre in town this Saturday, sadly I am moving to a new home so will not get a chance to visit.

EG CameraGirl said...

OH MY GOODNESS! They really do paint the town red, don't they?

Anonymous said...

Very colorful event ~ great action shots ~ carol ^_^

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

We have the Sundance Film Festival which has no food fights but lots of great films and lots of annoying celebrities!

The second to last shot does kind of reminder me of Dexter.


shudder....

21 Wits said...

Oh my gosh, I've seen this at some fairs and such, not quite this extreme, but I think tomatoes are too delicious to throw and not eat!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Nora and Lola,

Yes, can only think of all the tomato sauce, soups you could make.
Must be fun though!
Happy October
hugs
Carolyn

lissa said...

it does look like fun but I wouldn't want to be there. great AT post.

have a great day.

bichonpawz said...

Hi Nora and Lola! Indeed...the town looks like it is painted red! How fun! It seems no one can escape the recession!! Hope all is well! Xo Jeanne, Chloe and LadyBug

Anonymous said...

My goodness. That looks like a giant mess. But they seem to be having fun.

Charleen said...

I would love to participate!

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

LOL...I want to do that...I want to be there...I want to be red...LOL
XXOO Marie Antoinette

Unknown said...

We have food festivals downtown. I don't think we are allowed to throw food during them.

Unknown said...

Oh yay! That's looks fun!

Susan Anderson said...

That is fun and sooo crazy, though as a tomato-lover I can't help wincing a bit at all those ruined tomatoes! We have a garlic festival near our home, and they have all things garlic...even ice cream!

Susan Anderson said...

That is soooo crazy and looks like such fun, though as a tomato-lover i do cringe a bit to see all those ruined tomatoes! We have a garlic festival near our home, and they make all things garlic...even ice cream!!

Susan Anderson said...

That is fun and sooo crazy, though as a tomato-lover I can't help wincing a bit at all those ruined tomatoes! We have a garlic festival near our home, and they have all things garlic...even ice cream!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

haha! Wow! I love to go to festivals that celebrate things like food and different countries and customs or things that are known to an area. I cannot imagine how much tomatoes that took!

Blessings & Aloha!

Lmkazmierczak said...

Such a huge food fight! Doubt I'd ever be interested in participating but am happy to look at photos♫ My T: http://lauriekazmierczak.com/toll-gates/

Judie said...

My granddaughter lives and teaches in Madrid. I'm going to ask her if she celebrates!!!

Pondside said...

No thanks - unless there's some study that says all that tomato juice is great for the skin - you know, some sort of cleansing/youth-giving/firming....you get the picture!

fredamans said...

MESSY but looks fun!

Julia said...

Espero que al menos te lo passaras muy bien

Julia

Laura said...

Looks like a wildly fun event! Thanks for sharing the love up-close with I Heart Macro:-)

Arija said...

Nice to see on TV but I for one would not like to be involved!

namaki said...

What a waste of tomatoes when millions are starving to death ! but the pictures are nice though !

betty-NZ said...

I can't see myself participating (too much cleaning up!) but I'd love to be there to take some pictures!

Anonymous said...

OMG -- what messy fun! And great for the skin as well! ;)

Jenny said...

This looks like a total blast.... Of tomato juice... (((winkwink)))

That is kind of a smart idea to charge for the tomatoes though, considering the financial trouble everywhere...

Terrific post for the letter "T"!

Thanks for linking.

A+

Annesphamily said...

My what fun! I am a tomato lover though so I prefer eating them! Hee Hee! Always fun visiting you here.