In the vast expanse of Nevada's Black Rock Desert, where creativity and self-expression flourish, this year's Burning Man festival will bear witness to a poignant and deeply moving tribute.
The installation, named "Nova Heaven," honors the victims of the October 7 attack on the Supernova music festival in Israel, a day that shattered lives and left an indelible mark on the global music community. Approximately 400 people were killed and dozens taken hostage in the Hamas terrorist attack, leaving survivors and families grappling with profound loss and grief.
At the heart of the installation stands a replica of the multi-colored tent that once symbolized joy and unity at the Nova festival. Now, it serves as a bittersweet reminder of lives cut short and dreams unfulfilled. The motto "We Will Dance Again" adorns a large gate-shaped art piece, a defiant message of hope amidst sorrow.
Perhaps the most touching element of the tribute is the 405 laser-cut angels, each representing a life lost. These ethereal figures serve as a haunting reminder of the human cost of the attack, inviting visitors to reflect on the individuality of each victim.
Tal Navarro, the group's fundraising chair, shared her emotional connection to the project: "This time, the Burn is more than just a festival. It's a part of all of us." Her words echo the sentiment of many involved in creating this tribute, for whom the installation is not just art, but a labor of love and remembrance.
The installation will pause activities at 6:29 a.m. on one day of the festival, marking the moment when joy turned to terror at Nova. This moment of silence in the usually vibrant desert landscape promises to be a powerful collective experience of mourning and solidarity.
Some of the artists involved carry personal scars from that fateful day. Shahar Peter, who crafted phrases for the spiral staircase piece, hails from Sderot, a town attacked on October 7. His involvement adds a layer of raw authenticity to the project, bridging the gap between the Nevada desert and the Israeli communities still healing from the attack.
As the Burning Man community, known for its ethos of radical inclusion and self-reliance, embraces this tribute, it sends a powerful message of unity that transcends borders and cultures. The "Nova Heaven" installation stands not just as a memorial, but as a beacon of hope and a call for peace in a world too often marred by violence.
In the face of criticism that the global trance music community hasn't done enough to acknowledge the tragedy, this tribute represents a significant and heartfelt step towards healing. As the desert winds whisper through the 405 angel figures, visitors to Burning Man will be reminded of the preciousness of life and the enduring power of music to unite us all.
* Arutz Sheva contributed to this article.
