Editor’s note: “Behind the News” is the product of Sun staff assisted by the Sun’s AI lab, which includes a variety of tools such as Anthropic’s Claude, Perplexity AI, Google Gemini and ChatGPT.

The streets of Buñol, Spain, transform into a crimson battlefield each year as the iconic La Tomatina festival celebrates what has become the world’s largest food fight [1]. For one wild hour, up to 22,000 revelers unleash 120 tons of squishy, overripe tomatoes in this beloved Spanish tradition now in its 80th year [2]. The eastern Spanish town prepares for the annual chaos by shrouding its buildings in protective tarps, creating an arena where participants can hurl tomatoes with abandon [1].

La Tomatina is officially recognized as a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest, attracting visitors f

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