Ready for a Tomato fight? Hyderabad to host La Tomatino festival next week

Hyderabad gears up for Toma Terra, a tomato-throwing festival inspired by Spain’s La Tomatina. Scheduled for May 11 at Experium Eco Park, the event promises music, dance, and fun—while pledging to recycle tomato waste as manure

Hyderabad: In a move that is sure to raise eyebrows, a Hyderabad-based company is organising Toma Terra, a tomato festival inspired by Spain’s iconic La Tomatina. Scheduled to be held on May 11 at Experium Eco Park, the ticketed event promises a unique blend of thrill, music, and tomato-fuelled revelry.

Toma Terra draws inspiration from La Tomatina, the famous tomato-throwing festival held annually in Buñol, Spain. However, the Hyderabad version adds a distinct local flavour with music, dance performances, and curated entertainment zones.

The organisers have assured that an adequate quantity of tomatoes will be arranged for the much-anticipated “tomato battle.” The event will also feature live DJ performances, food stalls, and dance zones, aiming to create a festive, carnival-like atmosphere.

Perhaps mindful of the backlash faced by similar events in the past, the organisers have stated that all tomato waste generated during the festival will be converted into manure to nourish the event grounds. Notably, in 2013, a proposed La Tomatina-style event in India faced widespread opposition, with netizens launching an online petition against it.

La Tomatina gained mainstream popularity in India after it was featured in the 2011 Bollywood film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Since then, it has captured the imagination of many Indians looking for unconventional forms of entertainment.