Burning Man Festival
This week, while HostelBloggers sit quietly at our desks in London, thousands of arty folk are crowded into Black Rock City in the Nevada desert for one of the most intriguing and unique events in the world - the Burning Man Festival.
Held around American Labor Day each year (from 25 August to 1 September in 2008, to be precise), it’s named for the ritual burning of a large wooden effigy at the climax of the festival after a week of creativity, experimentation and radical free expression.
Gifting, nudity, spontaneous self-expression (interpret that as you will) and general revelry are all actively encouraged.
But it’s far from being just a load of naked hippies gathered in a desert. Rather, it’s an iconic symbol of counterculture.
Although the organizers claim it can’t be explained to those who’ve never been, it can sort of be summed up as a week of controlled anarchy where participants exist outside of normal culture and society within a separate created (and very artistic) community.
Part of the novelty of Burning Man is that nearly everyone participates in the festival - the philosophy is that you’re appreciated for your offerings (be it art, technology, music etc.) and in turn you appreciate what others have to give.
There’s an added dimension, of course, in the dramatic setting. The Black Rock ‘playa’ is the vast exposed bed of a prehistoric lake consisting of ancient volcanic lava flows and collected ash. It’s one of the most hostile landscapes on earth and so the festival also becomes a test of survival.
The remote desert is reachable only by road (and therefore driving) but never fear if you’re without access to a car, the organizers set up a ride-sharing forum each year on the website to help a wide selection of participants get there.
It was formed back in 1990 when a group of friends who had been celebrating the summer solstice - and self-expression through ritual bonfires - merged with an event already held at Black Rock involving temporary sculpture and performance art.
Since its humble beginnings, Burning Man has continued to grow in huge leaps and bounds until participants totalled a massive 50,000 last year. For 2008, the theme is ‘American Dream’ and tickets cost between $210 and $295 (available only in advance online or from outlet stores).
If on first inspection that seems a little steep, in HostelBloggers’ humble opinion it’s a more than fair price for eight days packed with all manner of genuinely unique experiences.
