Catharsis brings Burning Man spirit to nation’s capital
WASHINGTON — Coming soon to the National Mall: a 70-foot-long metal dragon on wheels that doubles as a stage. A wooden temple that will be set ablaze. And events called “cascading into compassion” and the “consciousness hacking meet-up.”
That’s the vision for Catharsis on the Mall , a three-day event that seeks to bring a small slice of the famed Burning Man festival to the foot of the Washington Monument. The event starts Friday afternoon and will continue round-the-clock through Sunday with seminars, events and performances in tents, stages and camps.
Organizers envision a scaled-down version of Burning Man, the raucous festival in the Nevada desert that draws thousands each year and features outlandish costumes and the burning of a massive wooden figure. However, they say the Catharsis event is designed to be more of a political protest and spiritual vigil than the controlled chaos of Burning Man.
“There’s a deeply spiritual side to what we’re trying to do,” said Adam Eidinger, a local activist who has helped organize Catharsis events in Washington for the past three years. “Having sacred fire on the mall is a very religious thing.”