Burn

During the long drive on the road that swirled through the landscape, we felt how the tension grew. When the clouds drifted together and it started to rain, just when we arrived in the long queue near the entrance, we could only assume we were really nearby. But as dusk started, and the dark clouds had disappeared, we could see Him from afar. After setting up camp, the first thing we did was walking, almost running, towards Him. It almost seemed unreal, unbelievable, that we were finally there. Al those preperations, all those things we had to take care of beforehand. Everything had lead us exactly to this moment: standing at the foot of The Man, looking around the playa and realising that is all really does exist.

Everything concerning Burning Man is being pictured by His image. Stickers, websites, posters, but also notes in shop windows in San Fransisco, where you could buy special Burning Man clothes or materials: everywhere, you’ll find The Man. The Icon. The Symbol.

During the festival, He is literally the centre of the crowd: all roads lead to The Man. Once, about twentyfive years ago, He only was a little doll, not more than two meters high. Now, he is standing on top of a four floor tower, and overlooks everything. During the day you can see him standing: steady, waiting for everything that is about to happen. In the night, He joins the party, with coloured led lights that show His contours. Whenever you feel slightly lost in the maze of camps, roads and lighted Art cars, you look for The Man and the world around you falls into place.



During the entire week, everyone wishes you a ‘great burn’. If you tell someone it will be your first one, they start behaving like you’ll soon be included in a special secret. Like when your parents told you Santa didn’t exist, but you had to keep it a secret for your little brother. On Saturday, the day of the burn, you can feel the tension growing. Finally, when it is dark, you can see everyhing and everyone slowly moving towards the playa. All energy seems to just head to one direction.

We were one of the lucky ones, who got to sit in the front rows of the circle that was formed around The Man. Behind us, more people gathered, sitting and standing, and behind them the Art cars, who carried even more people. In the circle, the show started, with poi dancers, a dragon, firebreathers and more things that involved flames. Then, a fifteen minute lasting firework show started, that didn’t seem to end. Every apotheosis of uncomprehensive colours got overruled by more colours and even more impressive explosions. Finally, the tower caught fire, and not long after that, The Man himself. During the week, he stood there, with His arms along His body, fighting the dust storms. Now, His arms rose up to heaven, as if He'd surrendered to the dust and the flames. I felt sorry for Him. With the flames, the exitement grew, as everybody was waiting for the tower and The Man to collapse. When they fiinally did, after thirty minutes, there were bigger parties than before, more lights and people that dances around the fire for hours and hours.

That night, and the following day, the festival wasn’t like it was before. Everyone seemed to cycle without a goal, searching for directions. I got lost several times at night, because the beacon had disappeared. A lot of people left right after the burn, others, like us, stayed for the temple Burn on Sunday. It all felt empty compared to the rest of the week. He was gone. It will take 355 days for Him to reappear again.