The world's biggest food fight: Married men coat Spanish town in flour as they take over streets and impose reign of chaos for annual festival

By HUGO GYE

Citizens of Ibi, in the province of Alicante, took to the streets today with flour, eggs and firecrackers in what must surely be one of the biggest food fights in the world. The origins of the tradition are unclear - it is said to be over two centuries old, but in its current form it has been running only since 1981. The festival of 'Els Enfarinats' is held every year on December 28, the Day of the Innocents which is similar to April Fool's Day in Spanish culture.

Fight: Two revellers taking part in the 'Els Enfarinats' festival in Ibi in south-east Spain

With the military uniforms and apparently smoke-filled streets, these pictures look like they could come straight from a war zone.
But in fact they depict a bizarre annual tradition in a Spanish village which sees revellers taking control of the community and fighting a mock battle to impose their surreal regime.
Citizens of Ibi, in the province of Alicante, took to the streets today with flour, eggs and firecrackers in what must surely be one of the biggest food fights in the world.

Clash: The day is a fight between a group of married men and their rivals seeking to stop them taking over

Weapons: A member of 'La Oposicio' reviews his armoury in preparation for a counter-attack

Let rip: Two men clash with the help of a whole box of eggs sent flying through the air

Captive: One side drags away a prisoner during a heading moment in the good-natured mock battle

Spectacle: Hundreds were gathered in Ibi on Friday to watch the madcap antics



source: dailymail