Red army: Dutch stage huge tomato fight in protest against Russian sanctions

Hundreds of young Dutch men and women turned Amsterdam’s central Dam square into a blizzard of red goop as they pelted each other mercilessly with overripe tomatoes. In theory, the event was set up as a protest against Russian sanctions blocking imports of European fresh produce. In practice, most participants turned out to experience the joy of smacking a loved one — or total stranger — with tomato pulp at close range. The idea was lifted from Spain’s famed annual “La Tomatina” festival in Bunol.

It was mean. But it was fun. Everything became one big pile of mush. There were people swimming in it on the ground.

Lois Bloedjes

Tickets to the one-hour fight, held yesterday, cost 15 euros (£12) each and around 1,000 were sold. Organiser Joep Verbunt said proceeds will go to tomato growers hurt by the sanctions. The Netherlands vies with Mexico as the world’s largest tomato exporter, and it sent $100 million worth to Russia last year. Dutch farmers have been offered a subsidy to either dispose of excess crops or donate them to food banks. The leftover tomato sludge will be cleaned and sent to a biogas production facility.

World Amsterdam tomato