Burning Man is an annual week-long event held in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, USA, where a temporary city called Black Rock City is built by its participants. It focuses on community, art, self-expression, and self- reliance, guided by ten principles including radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification, and leaving no trace
. The event originated in 1986 as a small bonfire ritual on Baker Beach in San Francisco, where founders Larry Harvey and Jerry James burned a wooden effigy called "the Man" as an act of radical self-expression. In 1990, due to legal restrictions at the beach, the event moved to the Black Rock Desert and has grown significantly since, attracting tens of thousands of people each year
. Burning Man features no scheduled performers; instead, participants create all artworks, performances, and activities. The event culminates in the symbolic burning of a large wooden effigy of a man, which is the centerpiece of the festival. The city operates on a gift economy with no money exchanged except for coffee, and emphasizes radical self-reliance, meaning attendees must bring everything they need to survive the harsh desert environment
. The festival is known for its experimental art installations, interactive sculptures, art cars, and themed events, all inspired by an annual theme chosen by the Burning Man Project, the nonprofit organization that manages the event. Burning Man has evolved from an underground gathering into a global cultural phenomenon with regional events worldwide
. In summary, Burning Man is a unique participatory cultural event where tens of thousands gather to create a temporary city centered on art, community, and self-expression, ending with the burning of a symbolic wooden figure called the Man
