OK, let’s cut to the chase: the Boom Festival is essentially Burning Man for the European continent. Sure, there are many differences that stand out immediately, such as that it takes place in a beautiful forest valley in Portugal instead of a blazing, dried, alkali-caked lakebed in Nevada. There’s that. And that it is much newer than its American counterpart, its first installment happening only in 1997. But superficialities aside, both the Boom and Burning Man share more soul connections than divisions. There is a heavy non-corporate emphasis, with no logos allowed anywhere on site. And, of course, copious neo-tribal hippies, psychedelic art installations and psy-trance galore. And let’s not forget an overwhelming love of the Geodesic Dome. The Boom Book does an amazing job of documenting this festival, with a far-reaching scope of essays, photos and even anthropological dissection in its 164 pages. This gathering is either one helluva good time or your worst nightmare. Seeing as I’ve watched the Man burn a half dozen times, I’d probably poop my knickers in those Portuguese woods.
more pictures after the jump…
