The 80th Anniversary of the "Tomatina" Festival in Spain

• The "Tomatina" festival celebrated its 80th anniversary in Buñol.
• About 22,000 people participated, throwing 120 tons of tomatoes.
• Tomaterapia became the slogan of the festival, symbolizing unity after the pandemic.

In the small Spanish town of Buñol, thousands of people from around the world gathered for the 80th "Tomatina" festival. This annual event, dedicated to throwing tomatoes, took place on August 27, 2025.

Participants threw nearly 120 tons of overripe tomatoes, transforming the central streets of the town into a sea of red puree. About 22,000 people, many of whom were in protective gear, took part in this joyful celebration that lasted one hour.

The festival officially began when participants gathered to receive a ham from the top of a greased pole. After the second shot from a firework, the battle commenced. Participants then sent themselves to the general wash stations to rinse off the tomato pulp from their clothes and skin.

"Tomatina" originated in 1945 when children began throwing tomatoes during a parade as a form of protest. Over time, it transformed into a popular festival, which has been officially recognized as an international tourist attraction since 2002.

This year, the festival's slogan was "Tomaterapia," reflecting the spirit of unity after the pandemic, which affected the region in July 2024. Organizers emphasize that the tomatoes used in the festival are specially grown for this event and are not intended for consumption.

After the celebrations, the streets of Buñol are cleaned, and citric acid in the tomatoes helps in this process.

Tags: Europe/Culture