Burning Man is a week-long, large-scale event focused on community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance, held annually in the western United States. It is not a traditional festival but rather a community and global cultural movement guided by 10 practical principles. The event takes place in Black Rock City, a participatory, temporary city in the Nevada desert, and is organized by the nonprofit Burning Man Project.
The name "Burning Man" comes from the culminating ceremony of the event, where a large wooden effigy, referred to as the Man, is symbolically burned on the penultimate night, which is the Saturday evening before Labor Day. The event features various elements depending on the participants and can include community, artwork, absurdity, decommodification, and revelry.
Participation is encouraged at Burning Man, and the event is the sum total of the activities of its participants. The global Burning Man community also co-creates regional events in more than 35 countries around the world. The event and its affiliated communities are guided by 10 principles that were originally written by Larry Harvey in 2004 as guidelines for regional organizing and later became a universal criterion of the general culture of the multifaceted movement.
Some key features of Burning Man include:
- Community: The event fosters a sense of community and connection among its participants, who are actively involved in creating the experience.
- Art: Burning Man is known for its large-scale art installations, which are created and displayed by participants.
- Self-expression: Participants are encouraged to express themselves in various ways, whether through art, costumes, performances, or other means.
- Self-reliance: The event promotes self-reliance, with participants responsible for their own food, water, and shelter during their time in Black Rock City.
- Decommodification: Burning Man aims to create a space free from commercial influence, where participants are encouraged to engage in non-commercial, gift-based interactions.
To get involved in Burning Man culture, individuals can explore the global Burning Man Regional Network and find out whats going on in-person and virtually in their local area.
