Schools out – water battles commence

To the immense relief of many of the kids in this area, the school year has just about finished.

For those still to sit exams, it is still a nailbiting time and there is a good deal of stress yet to be dealt with but for many, that’s it – school is over, it’s done, let the holidays begin.

In an age where all things digital are deemed interesting, exciting and “must haves” it is somewhat refreshing to see how the school pupils in Barga celebrate their freedom … by taking part in a mass traditional organised water battle.

Barga Vecchia  was the preferred location  for small groups of highly organised and heavily armed participants who roamed  through the narrow streets searching out their prey – the other highly organised and heavily armed participants.

The fountains which can still be found in the old part of the city became the focal points for skirmishes and ambushes as water pistols and balloons needed a constant supply of water to stay in the game.

No prisoners were taken,  no fists were raised, no blood was let  as all the pent-up energy and stress built up over the past school year was let loose.

A good deal of shouting, shrieking  and running about did take place and one or two innocent bystanders did get hit and  yes, it was in effect, a war game –  something not very politically correct these days but it could also be argued that it was just some good old-fashioned clean fun could it not ?

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