COLOMBIA: Thousands of farmers and tourists in Boyaca region take part in traditional "tomatina" festival

Record ID: 375590

  • Title: COLOMBIA: Thousands of farmers and tourists in Boyaca region take part in traditional "tomatina" festival
  • Date: 11th June 2012
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF PEOPLE RINSING OFF AFTER CELEBRATION
  • Embargoed: 26th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Colombia
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Quirky,People,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVAAWKE8QJYCZXBEF92W1CXHWVKN
  • Story Text: Thousands of farmers and tourists pelted each other with tomatoes on Sunday (June 10) in a traditional tomatina that left the Colombian province of Sustamarchan awash in red pulp.
    Children went first-- giggling as they stepped barefoot on the mushy tomatoes to grab handfuls of the mushy fruit, tossing them at their friends.
    Organizer Heiner Suarez said more than 18 tonnes of tomatoes were used but there was no waste involved.
    "We use the tomato that is leftover from the crops, in the greenhouses and in the fields, that is not fit for human consumption, to make a feast for growers, for Colombian farmers, after all their arduous work. So we've chosen the first holiday in the month of June to hold the Great Colombian Tomatina. The party is for Sutamarchan, for Boyaca, for Colombia and for the whole world," said organizer Heiner Suarez.
    Adults soon followed, and white t-shirts turned to red as tomatoes flew across the field.
    This area two hours north of the capital city of Bogota is well-known for its tomatoes and the tomatina was part of a weekend cultural festival that marks the end of harvest in the agricultural region.
    Tourists, like Sam Gibson, said they travelled to the area to enjoy the good, not-so-clean fun.
    "I came here to experience the madness and the cultural event that is the tomatina. We arrived last night and this has just been absolutely crazy today," Gibson said.
    As tomatoes dripped from his face, French tourist Oliver Martin said it was a unique memory.
    "I think it's craziness here. It's an event that never happens in France and I wanted to experience it here-- a tomato fight is once-in-a-lifetime and I am happy here," he said.
    After the tomatina, local fire-fighters hosed down participants who could then enjoy the rest of the festival which included artwork made of green and red tomatoes, tomato eating contests, dances and games.
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  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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