what is the purpose of burning man

Burning Man is an annual event held in Nevada's Black Rock Desert that serves multiple purposes centered around community, art, self-expression, and self- reliance. Its core purpose is to create a temporary, self-sustaining city where tens of thousands of participants, known as "Burners," engage in radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification, and communal effort, among other principles. The event culminates in the symbolic burning of a large wooden effigy called "the Man," which represents a ritualistic and communal act of release and renewal. The festival is not just about artistic expression but also about fostering a culture based on ten guiding principles: radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification, radical self-reliance, radical self- expression, communal effort, civic responsibility, leaving no trace, participation, and immediacy. These principles encourage participants to build a community that rejects commercialism and embraces creativity, cooperation, and environmental respect. Burning Man aims to be both a celebration of counterculture and a spiritual retreat, offering a space for radical self- expression and social connection outside the norms of everyday life. It is a platform for creating art, sharing experiences, and building connections in a unique, participatory environment that leaves no physical trace after the event concludes