Burning Man is an annual week-long event held in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, United States, centered on community, art, self-expression, and self- reliance
. It originated in 1986 when founders Larry Harvey and Jerry James burned a large wooden effigy called "The Man" on San Francisco's Baker Beach, and since 1990 it has taken place in the desert, where a temporary city called Black Rock City is constructed for about nine days leading up to Labor Day
. The festival is not a traditional commercial event; it operates on principles such as radical inclusion, gifting (giving without expecting anything in return), decommodification (avoiding commercial sponsorships or transactions), radical self-reliance, and leaving no trace (participants clean up after themselves to leave the environment pristine)
. There is no money exchanged except for a few exceptions like ice and coffee, and the event encourages barter, borrowing, and gift economy instead
. Participants, known as "Burners," create all the art, performances, and activities themselves, including interactive sculptures, theme camps, and art cars. The event emphasizes participation, communal effort, and civic responsibility, with a strong focus on creativity and self-expression
. The festival culminates in the symbolic burning of the large wooden "Man" effigy on the penultimate night
. Burning Man is described as a cultural movement and a temporary experimental society with a population that can exceed 70,000 people, forming a fully functioning city with streets and infrastructure during the event
. It is guided by ten principles established by Larry Harvey to foster a unique community experience focused on art, community, and personal growth
. In summary, Burning Man is a unique, non-commercial, participatory event that combines art, community, and radical self-expression in a temporary desert city, culminating in the burning of a large wooden effigy called "The Man."
