John Mualim, a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine, takes us to Ivrea, Italy, where the legendary Battle of the Oranges unfolds. This chaotic festivity sees 8,000 participants hurling 900 tons of oranges at each other, embodying both joy and fierce competition. Mualim reveals how the pandemic's absence heightened the event's significance, as locals embraced catharsis and community spirit. With humor and history, he highlights the festival’s unique blend of celebration and connection amidst the absurdity.
