Burning Man is a week-long event held annually in the Nevada desert that centers on community, art, self-expression, and radical self-reliance. Its core purpose is to create a temporary, participatory city called Black Rock City, where tens of thousands of people come together to build a unique cultural experience guided by ten principles such as radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification, and leaving no trace
. The event culminates in the symbolic burning of a large wooden effigy called "the Man," which represents a ritual of radical self-expression and communal celebration. Alongside the Man, there is also the burning of the Temple, a spiritual, non-denominational space for reflection and remembrance
. Burning Man rejects traditional commerce and capitalism, encouraging participants to gift rather than buy or sell, fostering a sense of community and cooperation. Attendees bring everything they need and rely on themselves and each other, emphasizing self-reliance and participation. The event is also about creating art, engaging in workshops, performances, and communal living, all while respecting the environment by leaving no physical trace behind
. In essence, the point of Burning Man is to build a temporary utopia that encourages freedom, creativity, connection, and personal and social transformation through direct experience and community effort
