Today is:   September 20

Scroll to explore events active on this date.

AD

LEEP INK FEATURES


1719344772.png

July is a Jubilee of Events

This sign in a store window in Dublin gave me a good laugh! At 18, we're all geniuses. By 30, we realize we're idiots! Photo LD Lewis July is a Jamboree of Events! Happy July. Like every month, I pick...

1716667302.png

June 2024 Gems

  June's Gems Welcome to June. School is out, fun is in, and business tends to slow down for the next three months. Another June theme is children and keeping them engaged, learning and growi...

1715032626.png

Momentous May Events

Prom, graduation, mothers, boating and barbeques are several themes in May. Along with October, May tends to be one of the most densely packed event months of the year. It's before the summer humidity and t...

About the Battle of the Oranges

Italy
EVENT NAME:
Battle of the Oranges (IT)
EVENT CATEGORIES:
Food , Christian
Silly , Festivals & Fairs
European Countries
Dates Active:
Begins: Feb 11, 2024
Ends: Feb 13, 2024
EVENT ADDRESS:
Ivrea, Italy

DESCRIPTION:

In Spain, tomatoes launch at revelers during August's annual Tomatina Festiva. In February, the Italians throw oranges for the three-day Battle of the Oranges. 

The Battle of the Oranges is an exuberant and historic festival held annually in Ivrea, Italy. This unique event, a cultural spectacle and a symbol of civic pride, typically takes place in February, forming a vital part of the Ivrea Carnival.

Originating in the Middle Ages, the Battle of the Oranges has a rich history steeped in local legend and tradition. The festival is said to commemorate the city's insurrection against tyranny. According to popular lore, it began as a celebration of the rebellion against the cruel medieval lord who starved the city and attempted to exercise the droit du seigneur – the right to spend a night with any newlywed woman. The actions of a young miller's daughter, Violetta, encapsulate the rebellion. She decapitated the tyrant, sparking a popular uprising that eventually led to the city's liberation.

The modern Battle of the Oranges reenacts this revolt with a twist of citrusy symbolism. Participants face off in two groups: the tyrant's guards and the rebellious commoners. Over three days, these groups engage in a playful yet intense mock battle, hurling oranges at each other. The oranges represent the stones and other ancient weapons used by the insurgents; the battle itself is an allegory for the fight against oppression.

The event is not just about the orange-throwing melee; it's a comprehensive celebration featuring parades, historical reenactments, and many local traditions. One of the highlights is selection a young woman to play the role of Violetta, symbolizing the spirit of freedom and rebellion.

The Battle of the Oranges is significant for several reasons. It's vital to Ivrea's cultural heritage, drawing thousands of spectators and participants each year. It serves as a living history lesson, educating people about the city's past and the universal themes of resistance against tyranny. Additionally, it is an important economic event, boosting local tourism and business.

This festival's enduring popularity underscores the community's deep connection to its history and the universal appeal of stories about the triumph of the ordinary people over oppressive rulers. The Battle of the Oranges stands as a vibrant, colorful testament to the human spirit's resilience and the joy found in shared cultural traditions.

VIDEOS

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Currently, this event does not have supporting documents.

ADDITIONAL IMAGES

Currently, this event does not have supporting images.

EVENT CHAMPION

Where would you like to go now?

LAST UPDATED:

Jan 18, 2024

EVENT MANAGER:

LEEP
AD
AD

Jubilee LLC, 1712 Pioneer Avenue,Suite 2019 Cheyenne, WY 82001 +1 (484) 226 4777

Copyright © Jubilee LLC / LEEPCalendar.com 2024. All rights reserved.