The Battaglia delle Arance (Battle of the Oranges) takes place in Ivrea, 50 km north of Turin in Italy. It is part of a carnival, the Carnevale di Ivrea, which recreates an uprising by common townsfolk against a ruling tyrant. The uprising occurred in the 12th or 13th century (the exact date is not known).
Unlike the original battle, which was fought with swords, the reacted battles use oranges, 500,000 kilograms every year.
The battles are messy, even violent at times. Combatants often wake up with orange-size bruises the next day. A few suffer serious injuries.
We doubt many DMC members would like to participate, although we might reconsider if the oranges were replaced. How about with Brussels sprouts? Or, if the organizers of the event don’t like Brussel sprouts, how about broccoli? Or grapes?
Read more:
Event’s website: http://www.storicocarnevaleivrea.it/English/
The World’s Best Festivals: https://www.fest300.com/festivals/battle-of-the-oranges
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Oranges