Follow Spanish Immigration and Life in Spain: Every year on December 28, the small town of Ibi in eastern Spain celebrates the "Flour Festival" (Els Enfarinats). During the festival, people celebrate the declaration of war with flour, eggs, and firecrackers, making the entire town resemble a war zone, filled with excitement.
During the festival, the married men in the town form two opposing groups. One group is called Els Enfarinats, who take over the town for the day and establish a series of humorous laws. Anyone who disobeys is imprisoned and fined. The other group is called La Oposicio, who attempt to restore order.
This "battle" takes place in the town's Plaça DE L'Esglèsia (Church Square). Both sides throw eggs, flour, and set off firecrackers, resembling a military exercise.
The origins of this festival are not entirely clear, but it has a history of over 200 years. The town of Ibi revived this traditional celebration in 1981.
This festival can be seen as the Spanish version of "April Fool's Day."
It is also one of the winter celebrations in the area. From December 13 to 30 each year, the town of Ibi holds the Festes D'Hivern.
On the morning of the festival, around 8 a.m., members of the Els Enfarinats group gather in the church square to simulate a mayoral election and announce the new order of the town, marking the beginning of the Flour Festival. This "war" continues until 5 p.m.
After the event, the fines collected by the Els Enfarinats are donated to local charities.
