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Burning Man has wild copycat festivals around the world - here's what they're like

These copycat festivals around the world are vibrant — but temporary — worlds.

Burning Man has wild copycat festivals around the world - here's what they're like

Founded in 2013, Nest was the first full-length burn in the United Kingdom. About 500 people attend the annual counterculture gathering, held in a lush valley in South Wales.

Founded in 2013, Nest was the first full-length burn in the United Kingdom. About 500 people attend the annual counterculture gathering, held in a lush valley in South Wales.

Source: The Guardian

 

Australia's Burning Seed promises a transformative experience in Red Earth City, a pop-up destination in the Matong State Forest. About 3,300 people attend the annual event.

Australia

Source: The Guardian

Burning Seed was founded in 2001, making it one of the oldest spinoff fests.

Nowhere draws about 1,000 people, who come from more than two dozen countries.

Nowhere draws about 1,000 people, who come from more than two dozen countries.

Source: Everfest

Spain's version of Burning Man is called Nowhere. Set in the Monegros Desert, the festival promotes self-reliance and cooperation to foster art, music, and having a great time.

Spain

Midburn and AfrikaBurn are by far the largest sister festivals in the Regional Network. But the spirit of Burning Man burns brightly at these other events around the world ...

Midburn and AfrikaBurn are by far the largest sister festivals in the Regional Network. But the spirit of Burning Man burns brightly at these other events around the world ...

Source: The Guardian

 

Over the last three days of the festival, creators destroy their art in an organized bonfire.

Over the last three days of the festival, creators destroy their art in an organized bonfire.

 

Most festival-goers stay in tents they bring with them or camp in their cars.

Most festival-goers stay in tents they bring with them or camp in their cars.

The thing that perhaps most sets AfrikaBurn apart from Burning Man is its commitment to decommodification: the belief that the community is strongest when it's unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising.

At Burning Man, participants with funds to spare can pay up to thousands of dollars a night for luxury accommodations in RVs and "glamping" camp sites. These are known as "plug-and-play" camps — and they are banned from AfrikaBurn because their intent is to make money.

Music blasts from stages big and small across the grounds and through the night. Attendees can expect to hear a wide range of genres, from hip-hop to electronica.

Music blasts from stages big and small across the grounds and through the night. Attendees can expect to hear a wide range of genres, from hip-hop to electronica.

 

But costumes are encouraged. Burners show up in their fiercest fashion.

But costumes are encouraged. Burners show up in their fiercest fashion.

 

Like Burning Man, clothing is optional.

Like Burning Man, clothing is optional.

 

AfrikaBurn follows the same set of principles as Burning Man. Nothing is for sale but ice.

AfrikaBurn follows the same set of principles as Burning Man. Nothing is for sale but ice.

Festival-goers arrive by private plane or "mutant vehicle" — a souped-up theme car.

Festival-goers arrive by private plane or "mutant vehicle" — a souped-up theme car.

 

Organizers say the most dangerous part of AfrikaBurn is getting there. The way to the tent city includes a pass on the longest road without cell service or roadside assistance in Africa.

Organizers say the most dangerous part of AfrikaBurn is getting there. The way to the tent city includes a pass on the longest road without cell service or roadside assistance in Africa.

 Source: AfrikaBurn

The festival draws over 13,000 people annually, making it the largest outpost of 130 regional Burning Man events around the world and the biggest arts festival in Africa.

The festival draws over 13,000 people annually, making it the largest outpost of 130 regional Burning Man events around the world and the biggest arts festival in Africa.

Source: Africa News

Every year since 2007, a tent city rises on a private reserve known as Stonehenge. It's located in the Tankwa Karoo National Park, about a four hour's drive from Cape Town.

Every year since 2007, a tent city rises on a private reserve known as Stonehenge. It

South Africa has its own wild version of Burning Man, called AfrikaBurn.

South Africa has its own wild version of Burning Man, called AfrikaBurn.

When the last embers from the bonfire burn out, attendees pack up their stuff and conduct a deep cleaning of the grounds. The goal is to leave no trace of their presence.

When the last embers from the bonfire burn out, attendees pack up their stuff and conduct a deep cleaning of the grounds. The goal is to leave no trace of their presence.

And at the end of the festival, participants set their surreal art installations ablaze.

And at the end of the festival, participants set their surreal art installations ablaze.

The dust storms are as wicked as the ones in Nevada.

The dust storms are as wicked as the ones in Nevada.

Israel's food, art, and culture give Midburn its distinct flavor. In 2017, theme camp Mizrimonim gave away cups of Arak and pomegranate juice, an Israeli cocktail.

Israel

Source: Israel21c

Midburn takes place in the Negev, a desert in southern Israel. Participants bring everything they need for the week, including food, water, and shelter. No money changes hands.

Midburn takes place in the Negev, a desert in southern Israel. Participants bring everything they need for the week, including food, water, and shelter. No money changes hands.

The festival has grown from 3,000 attendees in 2014 to an estimated 10,500 attendees in 2017.

Organizers believe events like Midburn, the Israeli version of Burning Man, play a key role in keeping the spirit of the festival alive year-round, as well as connecting like-minded people.

Organizers believe events like Midburn, the Israeli version of Burning Man, play a key role in keeping the spirit of the festival alive year-round, as well as connecting like-minded people.

Larry Harvey, cofounder of Burning Man, actually wrote the principles 20 years after the first event on a beach in San Francisco, as guidelines for the new "Regional Network."

Larry Harvey, cofounder of Burning Man, actually wrote the principles 20 years after the first event on a beach in San Francisco, as guidelines for the new "Regional Network."

Source: Burning Man

These range from "radical inclusion" — the belief that anyone may be a part of Burning Man — to a ban on commercial sponsorships, transactions, and advertising on festival grounds.

These range from "radical inclusion" — the belief that anyone may be a part of Burning Man — to a ban on commercial sponsorships, transactions, and advertising on festival grounds.

Source: Burning Man

The original Burning Man — founded in 1986 — celebrates notions of self-expression, civic responsibility, and art. There are 10 core principles that exemplify the festival's culture.

The original Burning Man — founded in 1986 — celebrates notions of self-expression, civic responsibility, and art. There are 10 core principles that exemplify the festival

The first Midturn took place in 2014, two years after a group of friends came home from Burning Man and decided to create events that would channel the spirit of the festival.

The first Midturn took place in 2014, two years after a group of friends came home from Burning Man and decided to create events that would channel the spirit of the festival.

It happens to be Midburn, a six-day arts festival in Israel.

It happens to be Midburn, a six-day arts festival in Israel.

This could be a photo of a Burning Man event anywhere in the world.

This could be a photo of a Burning Man event anywhere in the world.

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