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Red hot! - Thousands of people throw 40 tons of tomatoes at each other in the Great Colombian Tomatina of Boyaca

"Sutamarchan, in the Colombian department of Boyaca, turned red again on Sunday during the sixteenth edition of the Great Colombian Tomatina. Thousands of national and international tourists came to this municipality to participate in an authentic tomato war. About 40 tons of tomatoes not suitable for human consumption were used as they were discarded products from the region's harvests, according to local sources. "It's a very beautiful moment, you release all your adrenaline, and it's also a good product for the skin," said Javier, a participant in the event. The festival began in 2005, inspired by the famous Tomatina of Bunol, in Spain, whose origin dates back to 1945, when a dispute between young people during a parade led to the spontaneous throwing of tomatoes, starting a festival that over time became an international reference. In Colombia, the initiative was adapted by local farmers and promoters with the aim of boosting tourism and stimulating the local economy. Since then, it has become one of the most representative cultural events in Boyaca, attracting thousands of visitors every year. "Well, it's the first time I'm here, I'm from the Dominican Republic, today it's a great joy to be here, it's very enjoyable, it's something I wanted to do because I saw it on the internet, and here we are at the great tomatina," explained Juan Miguel Rios, a tourist from the Dominican Republic. In addition to the traditional tomato battle, the program includes parades, sports activities, gastronomic exhibitions, and farmers' markets. For its part, the government of Boyaca has highlighted on several occasions that the Great Colombian Tomatina contributes to promoting the work of agricultural producers and positioning the department as one of the main tourist destinations in the country."

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