The movie ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara‘ was where I first learned about the Spanish festival ‘La Tomatina’. Watching the lead actors participate in a massive food fight involving tomatoes was definitely a new experience. But did you know, there’s a town called Ivrea in Italy that has a similar festival where they use oranges instead?
The 3-day long ‘Battle of the Oranges’ festival got over yesterday and here’s a video of all the fun!
SWEET SHOWDOWN: Rival teams in Italy participate in spectacular "Battle of the Oranges" event, pelting revelers with dozens of oranges from atop horse-drawn floats. https://t.co/viPYnel092 pic.twitter.com/tJSol0sSuw
— ABC News (@ABC) March 3, 2019
What is the significance of the ‘Battle of the Oranges’?
According to Mail Online, this town tradition is based on an old legend. An evil lord is said to have tried to sexually assault a commoner’s daughter (Violetta) the night before her wedding. She fought against him and cut off his head. Finally rid of him, the people of town celebrated by burning down his castle.
In this festival, the townsfolk are divided into 9 teams and their mission is to throw oranges at the ‘castle defenders’ (the ones in the carts). The oranges signify the evil lord’s head and its pulp his blood. In the end, the judges pick a winner among the nine teams.
Do they waste nearly 1 million oranges for a festival?
A large number of oranges are brought in from Sicily and Calabria for the purpose of this food fight. However, reports suggest that these fruits are not fit for consumption. If not for the festival, they would be thrown away. Edible ones are not used. So, no harm no foul. Also, a team of 100 is designated with the task of cleaning up after the festival is over.
Time to add Ivrea on my travel bucket list so I can soak in all the revelry next year!