Burning Man is an annual event that takes place in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, USA. This is not just a party in the desert, but rather an experiment in creating a temporary community living according to the principles of radical self-expression, self-sufficiency and responsibility. For a week (and in 2025 for 9 days), a lifeless plain in America turns into a Black Rock City, with its own infrastructure, art objects, themed camps and a unique atmosphere.
History and philosophyThe story of
Burning Man began in 1986, when Larry Harvey and Jerry James, along with friends, burned a small wooden figure of a man on Baker Beach in San Francisco. What started as a spontaneous act of self-expression has gradually turned into an annual tradition, attracting more and more participants. In 1990, when the number of participants exceeded several hundred, it became clear that the beach could no longer accommodate everyone, and the event was moved to the
Black Rock Desert.This place could not be better suited for such an event: remote, with an almost unearthly landscape, it gave a feeling of complete freedom and isolation from the familiar world. It was here, in the desert, that a unique philosophy was formed based on the ideas of self-expression, responsibility, giving, and community.
Ten principlesIn 2004, Larry Harvey formulated the Ten Principles of Burning Man, which became a kind of code of conduct and a guideline for all participants. These principles are not rigid rules, but rather recommendations that help create that unique atmosphere.
- Radical Inclusion: Anyone can become a part of the community. Everyone is welcome here, regardless of age, gender, nationality, sexual orientation and social status.
- Gifting: Black Rock City's economy is based on the principle of giving. The participants selflessly share with each other what they have: food, drinks, things, help, creativity.
- Decommodification: Burning Man strives to create an environment free of commerce, advertising, sponsorship and commodity-money relations. It is not customary to sell or buy anything here (with the exception of ice and coffee in the Central Camp).
- Radical Self-reliance: Each participant is responsible for their own survival and comfort in the desert. This means that you need to bring everything you need with you: food, water, equipment, medicines, etc.
- Radical Self-expression: Burning Man encourages any form of self-expression, whether it's costumes, art objects, performances, music, or something else. There is no place for shyness and self-censorship.
- Community Effort: Collaboration and collaboration are at the core of Burning Man. Participants come together to build camps, create art objects, organize events, and maintain the city's infrastructure.
- Civic Responsibility: Despite the atmosphere of freedom, participants are required to comply with the laws of the state of Nevada and the rules set by the organizers.
- Leaving No Trace: One of the most important principles of Burning Man is respect for the environment. After the end of the event, the desert should remain as clean as it was before it. All garbage must be taken away with you.
- Participation: Burning Man is an event in which everyone is an active participant, not just a spectator. There are no maintenance staff here, everything is done by the participants themselves.
- Immediacy: Burning Man encourages you to live in the here and now, appreciate the present moment and be open to new experiences.
Burning Man is not a festival!It is important to understand that
Burning Man is not a burning man music festival or just a party in the desert. This is a much more complex and multifaceted phenomenon. The participants themselves try to avoid the word "festival", emphasizing the uniqueness and uniqueness of the event.
Burning Man is an experiment to create a temporary community based on the principles of freedom, responsibility and mutual assistance. It is a place where everyone can be themselves, express themselves through creativity and contribute to the creation of something more.