Photos by Oded Balilty
For the Bedouin Arab shepherds tending their flocks in Israel’s Negev desert last week, it was almost as if aliens had landed from outer space.
Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night.
In this photo taken Saturday, June 7, 2014, a man looks at a wooden sculpture that was set on fire during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
It was Midburn, Israel’s first Burning Man festival, modeled after the popular carnival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. Midburn is a mix of “midbar,” Hebrew for desert, and the English word “burn.”
For five days, participants – mostly Israelis – created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living and what the festival calls “radical self-expression.”
Some came costumed in cape or corset. Others, from babies to grandparents, went nude. Participants brought their own food and water, and shared with others. The only thing on sale was ice because of the scorching heat.
There were workshops in sculpture, drawing, and touch therapy. There was music and theater. At the “tent of heaven and hell,” participants were chosen at random for one of two fates: getting massages or doing chores.
In this photo taken Wednesday, June 4, 2014, costumes hang on a fence at the first Israel’s Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. The festival took place a few miles southwest of the desert gravesite of Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion, who dreamed of making the Negev desert bloom _ though he probably didn’t envisioned it blossoming with hula hoops and pyrotechnics. At the end, participants were told to remove their own trash and leave the desert without a trace. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
During the day, Bedouin shepherds meandered to the fence surrounding the festival to observe the spectacle. When day turned to night, a larger-than-life wooden sculpture was set on fire.
The festival took place a few miles southwest of the desert gravesite of Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion, who dreamed of making the Negev desert bloom – though he probably didn’t envision it blossoming with hula hoops and pyrotechnics.
At the end, participants were told to remove their own trash and leave the desert without a trace.
Here is a series of images by Associated Press photographer Oded Balilty of Israel’s first Burning Man festival, called Midburn.
In this photo taken Wednesday, June 4, 2014, Israelis walk in the playa during the Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Thursday, June 5, 2014, Israelis dance at a party during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some came costumed in cape or corset. Others, from babies to grandparents, went nude. Participants brought their own food and water, and shared with others. The only thing on sale was ice because of the scorching heat. There were workshops in sculpture, drawing, and touch therapy. There was music and theater. At the ‘tent of heaven and hell,’ participants were chosen at random for one of two fates: getting massages or doing chores. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Wednesday, June 4, 2014, an Israeli man walks in the playa during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Saturday, June 7, 2014, a man looks at a wooden sculpture that was set on fire during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Thursday, June 5, 2014, people walk in the dusty playa during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. For five days, participants, mostly Israelis, created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living, and what the festival calls”radical self-expression.” (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Thursday, June 5, 2014, an Israeli man walks in house slippers during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. For five days, participants mostly Israelis created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living, and what the festival calls “radical self-expression.” (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Friday, June 6, 2014, Israelis in costumes walk around the playa during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. For the Bedouin Arab shepherds tending their flocks in Israelís Negev desert last week, it was almost as if aliens had landed from outer space. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Wednesday, June 4, 2014, a young Israeli girl walks in the playa during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some came costumed in cape or corset. Others, from babies to grandparents, went nude. Participants brought their own food and water, and shared with others. The only thing on sale was ice because of the scorching heat. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Friday, June 6, 2014, a hat with stars of david lays on the ground during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. The festival took place a few miles southwest of the desert gravesite of Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion, who dreamed of making the Negev desert bloom _ though he probably didn’t envisioned it blossoming with hula hoops and pyrotechnics. At the end, participants were told to remove their own trash and leave the desert without a trace. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Saturday, June 7, 2014, Israelis sits under the shade during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. For five days, participants, mostly Israelis ,created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living, and what the festival calls “radical self-expression.” (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Thursday, June 5, 2014, an Israeli man wears a spoon and a stone as necklaces as he dances during a party at Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some came costumed in cape or corset. Others, from babies to grandparents, went nude. Participants brought their own food and water, and shared with others. The only thing on sale was ice because of the scorching heat. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Wednesday, June 4, 2014, costumes hang on a fence at the first Israel’s Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. The festival took place a few miles southwest of the desert gravesite of Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion, who dreamed of making the Negev desert bloom _ though he probably didn’t envisioned it blossoming with hula hoops and pyrotechnics. At the end, participants were told to remove their own trash and leave the desert without a trace. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Friday, June 6, 2014, Israeli acrobats perform during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. For five days, participants mostly Israelis created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living, and what the festival calls ‘radical self-expression”. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Wednesday, June 4, 2014, hand writing and doodles adorn a dusty car during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. For five days, participants _ mostly Israelis _ created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living and what the festival calls “radical self-expression.” (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Wednesday, June 4, 2014, Israelis dance at a party during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. For five days, participants mostly Israelis created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living, and what the festival calls “radical self-expression”. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Friday, June 6, 2014, people, mostly Israelis, walk in the playa during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. At the end, participants were told to remove their own trash and leave the desert without a trace.(AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Thursday, June 5, 2014, Israelis kiss at a party during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. For five days, participants mostly Israelis created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living, and what the festival calls “radical self-expression”. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Friday, June 6, 2014, An Israeli woman wears a unicorn mask as she walks in the playa during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. For five days, participants mostly Israelis created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living, and what the festival calls “radical self-expression.” (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Wednesday, June 4, 2014, an Israeli man rests on a couch during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Saturday, June 7, 2014, an Israeli man holds flowers during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. For five days, participants mostly Israelis created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living, and what the festival calls “radical self-expression”. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Friday, June 6, 2014, Israelis climb on one of the art installation during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. For five days, participants mostly Israelis created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living, and what the festival calls “radical self-expression”. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Thursday, June 5, 2014, An Israeli man rides a bicycle as the sun goes down during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. For five days, participants _ mostly Israelis _ created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living and what the festival calls “radical self-expression.” (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
In this photo taken Saturday, June 7, 2014, people, mostly Israelis, gather around wooden sculpture was set on fire during Israel’s first Midburn festival, modeled after the popular Burning Man festival held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, in the desert near the Israeli kibbutz of Sde Boker. Some 3,000 people set up a colorful encampment in the dusty moonscape, swinging from hoops by day and burning giant wooden sculptures by night. For five days, participants mostly Israelis created a temporary city dedicated to creativity, communal living, and what the festival calls “radical self-expression”. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Text from the AP news story, Israel Desert Ablaze With ‘Burning Man’ by Oded Balilty
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