There is always something worth celebrating and, looking at these unusual festivals, that something can really be anything, celebrated in any way! From fights using tomatoes or oranges to chasing after a hefty piece of cheese, here are some of the world’s weirdest festivals.
1. La Tomatina in Buñol, Spain
In this festival in the east of Spain participants throw tomatoes and get involved in what is probably the biggest tomato fight ever. Why do they do it? Just for fun, of course! La Tomatina has been held since 1945.
2. La Pourcailhade (Festival of the Pig) in Trie-sur-Baïse, France
The Festival of the Pig is held annually in southwestern France and is organised by … wait for it … La Confrérie du Cochon (the Brotherhood of the Pig). The festival, which has been held since 1975, involves displays, pig races, eating contests and other competitions.
One of the more expressive events is the French Pig-Squealing Championships, in which contestants have to imitate the noises pigs make, and more specifically, at the various stages of their life. Oink oink!
3. The Battle of the Oranges in Ivrea, Italy
Legend has it that this festival – which is basically an enormous food fight using oranges – is held to commemorate a historic event in which a local nobleman attacked a young woman in the town of Ivrea, only to be decapitated by the girl. A subsequent revolt by the townspeople is symbolised by the annual Battle of the Oranges.
4. Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling, Cooper’s Hill in the United Kingdom
Say cheese! This annual event is held near the city of Gloucester in England. A 4kg round of double Gloucester cheese is rolled down a hill, with competitors then racing after it. And yes, the person who catches the cheese wins the cheese. Considering that the cheese has a one-second head start and can reach speeds of up to 112km an hour, it’s more tricky than it seems!
5. Boryeong Mud Festival in South Korea
This festival is held during the summer in Boryeong, about 200km south of Seoul, the Boryeong mud flats being perfect for supplying this fun-filled event’s main ingredient. Originally held to market the mineral-rich mud as an ingredient for cosmetics, it is now mostly known for the Mud Experience Land, which includes a mud pool, mudslides and mud-skiing competitions.
PHOTO: Gallo Images/Getty Images
ALSO READ:
Legendary SA artist gets her own boulevard in New York
