Haro, Spain, Jun 29 (EFE).- More than 8,000 people took part Saturday in the annual Wine Battle of Haro, the capital of Spain’s world famous La Rioja wine-producing region.
More than 40,000 liters of wine were thrown by the “combatants” of this unique contest, who gathered early the morning near the Hermitage of San Felices in Haro despite forecasts of rain.
The wine was fired from all kinds of ‘weapons’, from water pistols and sulfating devices to buckets and other containers.
The event has been a Festival of National Tourist Interest since 2011, with people from across Spain attending as well as some foreigners.
Some friends from Barcelona thought that celebrating a bachelor party at the “Batalla del Vino” was “the best possible option”, since “this party is the best at this time of the year”, just at the beginning of the summer in Spain, Adrián explained to EFE.
For visitors and the residents of Haro, the wine battle “is the best day of the year”, and the best way to enjoy the festival is “to do it among friends, with the family and with a great lunch”, said Alberto.
Coming from Switzerland, Laila said that she “loves Spain and wanted to visit La Rioja”; the Richer couple came from the United States to “visit Spain and see this famous tradition”.
Others, like some young Americans, first visit the town of Haro and the Battle of the Wine before heading to Pamplona, capital of the Navarre region, to experience the world-famous Sanfermines festivities, including the iconic Running of the Bulls, which begin on July 6.
As the festivities are held on a Saturday, the crowds are huge. “It complicates things, everything gets a little out of hand”, according to Álvaro.
But despite the crowds, no serious incidents were reported.
The origins of this unusual tradition are unclear. What is certain, however, is that a pilgrimage to the hermitage of San Felices has been held for centuries, although it is believed that the wine battle custom did not begin until the end of the 19th century. EFE
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