Source: Speak Up
Language level: Basic
Standard: American English by Chuck Rolando, Lisa Bound: New Zealand accent
The Burning Man Festival
Where did all the flower children GO? Well, once a year, in the middle of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, you’ll find that spirit of the 1960’s is alive and well. The Burning Man Festival is an annual event that brings over 20.000 artists and free minds into the desert to build an incredible city where people forget social restrictions. They create a magical new world, and express their true inner spirits.
BLACK ROCK CITY
The 2007 festival takes place from August 27th to September 3rd when, for one short week, Black Rock City will appear and then – just as suddenly –disappear. Each year the organizes choose a Central theme: the Art Theme for Burning Man 2007 is “The Green Man,” in reference to humanity’s relationship to nature.
Black Rock City is not a place for spectators: everyone must build their own temporary home, create artworks, construct theme camps and help to create a communal “utopia.” People come from all over the world. They must leave their old lives as they enter the city. There are no cars: people use bicycles to get around the streets; there is no money. Participants must given freely to each other and there are often on clothes, but the open use of drugs is not encouraged as there are police officers on patrol in the city.
LIGHT MY FIRE
Artists create spectacular wooden sculptures of ships, animals and magical palaces. The streets are full of activities, especially at night when you can see street performers, listen to musicians and watch as sculptures burn on communal fires. Safety and conservation are very important, so fires are carefully regulated and, at the end of the festival, nothing can remain, not even a single piece of paper.
Festival organizers Larry Harvey needs a 40-man committee to help run the event, but he says the most important thing is for everyone to share. “If you give a gift, then you’ll receive a gift,” he explains. “And that’s how we create an intense sense of community.”
Travel and Ticket information (no sound)
Black Rock City is three hours north of Reno, Nevada, by car. The nearest airports are Reno and San Francisco, where you can rent a vehicle. There is also an air shuttle service service from Reno airport to the Black Rock City Private airport.
The Green Tortoise Bus company runs bus tours from San Francisco (details at www.greentortoise.com ). Tickets for the festival cost 200-250 on arrival, but you can also buy tickets online. People must bring sufficient water, food and shelter for the week. Visit the festival website for more information.
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