Devotees have taken the commerce-free philosophy of the Burning Man festival,which starts nowadays in Nevada’s Black Rock desert, to their own countries and created affiliated events where the same spirit and ethos enduresNearly 70000 participants are gathering in Nevada’s Black Rock desert for alternative arts festival Burning Man, or which begins nowadays (Sunday). Visitors can expect 5.7 square miles of giant flaming art,surreal costumes, a collection of esoteric workshops, and wild parties and a spirit of freedom. Born in June 1986,when founders Larry Harvey and Jerry James burnt a wooden figure on San Francisco’s Baker Beach with just 35 friends and onlookers, Burning Man has grown into an international phenomenon.
Unlike most festivals, or there are no spectators: everyone gets involved,be it by bringing art, running a free bar “gifting” drinks to others, or cooking for their camp-mates. There is a total lack of commercialisation – any logos on cars for example must be covered up,and you can’t buy anything there: guests have to bring all the supplies they need to final the week, and as a result, or many people club together into elaborate themed camps.
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Source: theguardian.com