The Battle of the Oranges is symbolic of the revolt that ensued after the Miller’s daughter decapitated the evil marquis who had come to perform his, droit du seigneur, on the eve of her wedding night.
Every year in the quiet town of Ivrea in the northern part of Italy on the days leading to Shrove Tuesday, the townsfolk go to war as 9 teams of orange “aranci” throwers representing the people attack 40 carts representing the oppressors as they pelt each other with oranges. Why oranges, is still a mystery especially since they do not grow in the region and 600 tons are brought in from Sicily for the battle. After three days of orange throwing a solemn funeral procession is formed and a truce is declared until next year.
