Battle of the Oranges facts for kids
The Battle of the Oranges is a super fun and messy festival held every year in Ivrea, a town in northern Italy. During this festival, townspeople throw thousands of oranges at each other! It lasts for three days and happens just before Shrove Tuesday, which is right before the Catholic season of Lent.
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What is the Battle of the Oranges?
This unique festival is one of the biggest food fights in the world. It takes place in the streets and squares of Ivrea. People gather to watch or join in the exciting orange battle. The festival is a lively and colorful event that brings the whole community together.
The Story Behind the Battle
The Battle of the Oranges is based on an old legend from Ivrea. The story tells of an evil duke who ruled the town a long time ago. He was very unfair and treated his people badly.
The legend says that a brave miller's daughter, named Violetta, stood up to the duke. She was very courageous and helped the townspeople defeat him. This act of bravery led to the duke's rule ending. The people of Ivrea were finally free from his harsh control.
How the Battle Works
The orange fights are a way to re-enact this historic uprising. The people who throw oranges are divided into two main groups:
- One group pretends to be the duke's guards. They ride in horse-drawn carriages.
- The other group represents Violetta's helpers and the townspeople. They fight on foot.
The "guards" wear protective gear, but the "townspeople" often wear less protection. Everyone throws oranges with great energy! It's a very exciting and sometimes messy event.
Why Oranges?
You might wonder why they use oranges. The exact reason isn't fully known. Some say it might have started with people throwing flowers or sweets from balconies. Over time, oranges became the chosen "ammunition." They are plentiful in Italy during winter and make for a dramatic and colorful battle.
Related pages
Images for kids
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The Asso di Picche, founded in 1947 and wearing a black Ace of Spades on red, is the oldest of the nine pedestrian teams of orange throwers that partake in the Battle of the Oranges. Here they battle against one of the approximately forty Aranceri Carri da Getto – orange-throwers in carts.
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Stockpile of "ammunition" for the battle.
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A carriage pulled by four horses that will be used in the battle
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Mugnaia
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Battle
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