Haro Wine Festival
Haro is a town in the La Rioja region located in the north of Spain. It is known for its rather bizarre wine festival. The main event of this festival is the Batalla de Vino (Battle of Wine).
The festival is held on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul which is on the 29th June. Saint Peter is the patron saint of Haro. Everyone wakes up early in the morning at little before 7.00 am to be ready for the procession. People are dressed in white t-shirt and red scarves. That is not all. Each person carries some container full of red wine.
The procession is lead by the town major riding a horse. People actually go to the Cliffs of Bilibio. This place is about 6 kilometers from Haro. It is known as the Hermitage of San Felices de Bilibio. It is believed that he lived in about the 6th century AD. Pilgrimages to the Cliffs of Bilibio started in the early 18th century when the first chapel was built there.
When everyone is finally there it is time for the battle. People pour huge amounts of wine on each other. It is estimated that up to 40,000 litres of wine is used.
Battle of Wine in Haro, La Rioja (Spain)
This tradition was first called the Battle of Wine in 1949. But the event in more or less same form existed even earlier. At about half past ten everyone is soaking wet and coloured in pink. People then have a simple meal which usually includes snails.
People then return to Haro across the bridge over the Tiron river. They walk down the Navarra street accompanied by the brass band. They move towards the Plaza de la Paz (Square of Peace). The party continues there. Some people also go to the bullfighting event.
Since 2004 local children have their own version of the festival. Their ``battle'' is held after the main one. After battle for kids they get some sweets and then return to the town. In 2011 Haro Wine Festival was declared the event of national tourist importance.
Events similar to the Haro Wine Festival exist in parts of La Rioja but also elsewhere in Spain - Jumilla (Murcia), San Asensio (La Rioja), and Llamigo (Asturia).
References Haro Wine Festival https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haro_Wine_Festival Batalla del vino https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batalla_del_vino Images Battle of Wine in Haro, Spain (photo and caption text by BigSus, Wikimedia) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Batalla_del_Vino_-_Haro_-_La_Rioja.jpg