A little over a week ago, we set out to Black Rock Desert Nevada to experience the engaging cultural commemoration that is Burning Man. We’re still searching for a way to illustrate our experience, but there are only a few words to fully capture the depth of it. Every year roughly 70,000 people gather in Black Rock Desert to build a temporary city dedicated to community, art, culture, self-awareness, self-expression, collaboration, and self-reliance. Burning Man is about discovery, transformation, community, and impermanence. The art installations at Burning Man are temporary, the Temple, and Man burn down to ashes, and the slate is blank for a new year, and more than likely a new you.
Burning Man is made up of thousands of intriguing theme camps with occupants who hold events, give out free food, drinks, or other offerings of their choice. This year, we were lucky to be amongst many friends and family at Camp Alborz, located at 9:45 and D. Alborz, which officially became a theme camp this year, offered the playa Persian refreshments and tea, a shade structure, utmost hospitality, and a unique energy that was unrivaled across the desert. Being a part of Alborz provided an opportunity for deep connections, endless hours of dancing, and working together across the frontline to deliver for anyone who stopped in. Alborz treated all guests on the playa with the utmost hospitality similar to how it’s done in Iran and other Middle-Eastern countries.
Alborz saw two very big events through the week (although every single moment was magical). Most parties we go to in our own cities and beyond, or festivals we travel for, are events that are advertised for. What made the Alborz parties truly magical was that there was no lineup announced, and the events were strictly word of mouth on the playa. These events felt just as special, genuine, and mystic as the story behind the original camp leader’s friendships, but that’s for another time.
On Saturday during the Man burn, you could feel the atomic particles dancing away with pure excitement all over the air, and soon after the Man burned these particles started swimming towards 9:45 and D from all directions. It could’ve been within the blink of an eye, but before we knew it the fresh energy of the post-burn playa, thick-vibey, bedouin-souled dance floor was packed. On this particular night we passed around orange blossom, strawberry rose, and rose water lemonade popsicles, and one of our dear campmates brewed tea for everyone that gave us life. Imagine that, our friend and amazing musician Goldcap blessed us with music after feeding us all hot tea on a chilly dusty night. On this night we had Hoj, Armen Miran, Goldcap, Patrick Khach, and Sabo in the house where they went back to back until beyond day break. Decorated art cars, mutant vehicles with music blaring inside, and what appeared to be a lit-up space ship with a DJ spinning inside were all attractions during the party at Camp Alborz on Saturday night into morning. Words can’t really describe what went down unless you were there, but the good news is that the DJ sets were recorded and will be released soon.
Overall, keeping a cohesive family of 150 people together proved to be an incredible joy but also a great challenge and responsibility. We are infinitely grateful for the sense of community Alborz has created that truly shows what we are all about.
Special thanks to the beautiful bright souls that put their blood, sweat, and tears to help set up, maintain, and tear down the camp. We would travel through galaxies and reach the farthest places and depths to give you our honor and love. Until next year…
Ciao
T&P
Techno & Pizza 