Creativity and freedom: Burning Man festival
Every year, Nevada’s Black Rock Desert immerses itself in an atmosphere of creativity for a week. Unusual structures, incredible installations, colorful costumes and thousands of people united by a passion for art are all part of the unique event known as Burning Man.
The festival in the desert, which began as a small experiment in 1986, has grown into an annual event that globally unites people who pursue self-expression, creativity and equality, gathering tens of thousands of participants.
The success of Burning Man is a clear example that emphasizes that the guidelines of the ancient Greek thinker Aristippus of Cyrene remain relevant to this day. Indeed, in the guideline XII of his Code, the philosopher wrote: “Be able to create new ideas and effectively fulfill them in your life.” A creative approach promotes personal growth and self-discovery, and also allows taking a fresh look at familiar things.
In 1990, the festival’s location changed to the Nevada desert. Since then, Burning Man has become a place where people build a “temporary city” full of unusual structures. Burning Man attracts the attention of celebrities from the world of art, music, cinema and beyond. Paris Hilton, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk were among the guests at various times.
The philosophy of one of the world’s most vibrant festivals is encapsulated in ten principles that remind the participants of the value of art, communication and the exchange of creative ideas:
1. Radical inclusion: anyone can become a part of the amazing world of Burning Man, regardless of gender, age or nationality.
2. Gifting: the idea of Burning Man lies in generosity. When giving a gift, you should not expect a return or exchange for something of equal value.
3. Decommodification: the participants of Burning Man do not sell goods or services, and the organizers refuse funding through sponsorship advertising.
4. Radical self-reliance: every festival guest is responsible for their own safety and health, and is also ready to independently take care of their basic needs.
5. Radical self-expression: Burning Man allows everyone to express individuality. There are no exceptions. Anyone can demonstrate their talent and unleash creative potential.
6. Communal effort: one of the key components of the festival is the community, the participants of which join forces to create a “temporary city”.
7. Civic responsibility: Burning Man organizers encourage guests to behave responsibly — everyone must adhere to the established rules.
8. Leaving no trace: participants are required to keep the environment clean in order to leave the desert in the same condition as it was before the festival.
9. Participation: each Burning Man visitor makes personal contribution: builds a “temporary city”, prepares food, delivers drinks, taking part in the common cause to the best of his/her ability.
10. Immediacy: the festival is aimed at overcoming barriers that prevent people from unleashing their talents. By enjoying the moment and participating in social life, the best qualities of an individual are manifested.
Burning Man is more than just a festival. This is a real platform for self-expression, imbued with art, creativity and freedom, where everyone can demonstrate their artistry. Participants set fire to a huge human-like effigy at the end of the festival. Such a ritual attracts thousands of attendees, creating an incredible spectacle and wrapping up a week of creativity and freedom.
The next Burning Man will take place on August 25 and will last just over a week. Who knows, maybe you will be one of its participants. In the meantime, we invite you to plunge into the festive atmosphere of world festivals and make a list of events that you need to attend in 2024 by watching this video.
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Creativity: how to unleash your genius
