AfrikaBurn Festival in South Africa

Every year, Tankwa, South Africa, turns into an artistic and cultural expression for the AfrikaBurn Festival. This year from April 25 to May 1, artists and eccentrics from all over the world migrate to South Africa to create a pop-up city like no other. Derived from the art concept festival of Burning Man, AfrikaBurn is a unique and abstract experience.

© Jolene Bertoldi | Flickr

Every year, a team of organizers and volunteers put together a map of the Tankwa town they hope to achieve for the AfrikaBurn festival. Being the actual location is a plain in the South African desert, the event must be put together and taken down by those planning to attend. The artists who inhabit the town during AfrikaBurn will build a city that expresses the theme of the event, which this year is 10, or Roman numeral X.

The theme can stand for many things. You need to purchase a ticket to be part of AfrikaBurn. The festival hosts random events, which must be registered by the artists, performers and attendees. All of the events at the South African festival are completely self organized and funded by the participants.

© Jolene Bertoldi | Flickr

The event usually houses unique and innovative performances, art exhibits and “mutant” vehicles. The vehicles are man-made contraptions that are an expressive piece of art and serve as one of the many aspects of the event that will come and go.

First timers should check out the full website for a more detailed look at the event. Tickets can be a bit pricey and are just one expense of the entire trip. There is also a comprehensive survival guide on the AfrikaBurn website which should give first-time visitors a better idea of what is in store.