What is the most fun cultural tradition you can think of? Does it involve throwing something? A surprising number of them do!​

One of the most famous throwing festivals in the world is La Tomatina. It happens on the last Wednesday of August in Spain. Tens of thousands of people travel to the city of Bunol to participate. What do they do there? Throw tomatoes at each other of course!​

A similar tradition takes place in Ivrea, Italy. Instead of throwing tomatoes, people throw oranges. Visitors aren’t allowed to throw the oranges. Only people who register on a team get to join in the fun. The competition is intense. If you don’t want to be hit by an orange, you must wear a red hat.​

Another famous throwing tradition happens in Galaxidi, Greece. On the first day of Lent, the villagers celebrate with a flour war. They throw bags of colored flour at friends, family, and visitors. ​

It’s not just Europe that has fun with throwing. People in Port Lincoln, Australia love it too. They have a festival in January that involves tossing tuna. Luckily, they don’t throw the tuna at each other. Instead, they see who can throw the tuna the farthest. Whoever wins gets the title of Tuna Toss World Champion.​

In Japan, on February 3, people celebrate Setsubun. This bean-throwing festival marks the start of spring. It is also connected with the Lunar New Year. Throwing the beans symbolizes throwing out any evil from the previous year. People throw roasted soybeans out of their front doors at their family members. ​​

If you like to throw things, you are in good company! Maybe you will create the next great tossing tradition. Splat!