Flour Fight Coup: Inside Spain’s 200-Year-Old “Els Enfarinats” Festival

Every December 28th, the town of Ibi in Valencia, Spain, erupts into chaotic, flour-dusted celebration with the festival of “Els Enfarinats,” a tradition dating back over 200 years.
The event centers on a group of men dressed in mock military attire who stage a symbolic coup d’état, taking over the town hall and imposing humorous, absurd laws on residents; anyone who breaks these rules is fined, with all proceeds going to local charities.
The highlight is a massive, joyous battle where participants and spectators alike pelt each other with flour, eggs, and firecrackers, transforming the streets into a sticky, white battlefield of laughter.
This unique winter festival blends satire, community fundraising, and pure, messy fun, preserving a historic and distinctive piece of Spanish cultural heritage.