Thousands Join 80th Anniversary Tomatina Food Fight in Spain

The annual 'Tomatina' festival in Buñol, Spain, drew around 20,000 participants who spent an hour throwing 120 tons of overripe tomatoes in a massive, messy food fight. This year marked the 80th anniversary of the event, which began in 1945 as a local children’s activity and has grown into an international spectacle. The festival's slogan, “Tomaterapia” or “Tomato Therapy,” reflected the town's recovery spirit following devastating floods in eastern Spain in late 2024. Organizers emphasized that the tomatoes used are specifically grown for the event and are not suitable for consumption, addressing concerns about food waste. Amid the festivities, a left-wing political party supported flying Palestinian flags and a banner protesting Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Participants followed the guideline to squash tomatoes before throwing to reduce impact, with some wearing protective gear such as goggles and earplugs.