Philosophical Center
Preserving the Past, Imagining the Future
Burning Man founder Larry Harvey created the Philosophical Center to serve, as he put it, as the “conscience and collective memory” of Burning Man, advancing the ethos described in the 10 Principles and acting to collect, preserve, and disseminate the essential stories that define who we are and what we aspire to be. Ranging from scholarly papers and thoughtful essays to interviews and first-person accounts, these resources are meant to inspire and inform, to honor our history and help us find our way forward together.
Our History
Originally a personal celebration of the Summer solstice on Baker Beach in San Francisco, what was once a loosely organized annual event has grown into the largest outdoor art gallery in the world, held in a temporary city, collectively built by thousands of participants.
Now, the meaningful connections and embodiment of the 10 principles can be found in nearly 40 countries and hundreds of regional events.