If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a resident of an alien world, this is the place where it’s possible. Nevada, specifically, holds a secret that very few know about.
Burning Man is an annual event held in the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada. Although many are unaware of this place, it attracts over 80,000 people every year who are ready to leave behind their everyday lives to live in the desert.
The festival lasts only 8 days, starting on the last Monday of August and ending on Labor Day in the United States. Participants describe the event as an experiment in creating a community and complete self-reliance. The name "Burning Man" comes from the ritual burning of an effigy on the last day of the festival. However, there are many more attractions awaiting visitors.
What could life be like in a disappearing desert town? It turns out that its conditions are not all that different from everyday life. The town is arranged like the hours on a clock, with camps set up accordingly. In addition to temporary "homes," you can also find a roller rink, a hospital, a police station, a post office, and even a psychologist's office.
The entire event is based on the principle of "leave no trace," meaning that participants bring their own dishes and take all their trash with them, leaving the desert in its pristine condition after the festival.
"It's simply another planet, and there’s no other way to describe it," says one of this year's festival participants on social media.
Festival-goers live by the rules of a single community, meaning there is no currency or money in use. Essential items must be brought along, and any products or goods offered at the event are entirely free.
The popularity of Burning Man largely stems from the activities of the participants themselves, with colorful outfits, inventive modes of transport around the city, and makeshift constructions built in the desert. These creations often reference fairy tales, mythology, or religious traditions.