Burn Zozobra 2021: Santa Fe's Iconic Ritual to Banish Gloom and Ignite Hope
For 97 years, Santa Fe's original 'burning man,' the 50-foot-tall marionette Zozobra, has been meticulously crafted anew each year. Stuffed with thousands of 'glooms'—bad habits, hurt feelings, love letters, divorce papers, photos, and speeding tickets written on paper—this New Mexico icon meets a dramatic end in a choreographed blaze as spectators cheer from below.
The tradition continues in 2021—mark your calendar for the burn on Friday, September 3, at Fort Marcy Park. Expect a smaller crowd limited to 10,000 ticket holders for safety, with requirements for proof of vaccination or a negative test. Can't attend in person? Watch the live broadcast on KOAT 7 from your couch. Visit Burn Zozobra for details.
ZOZOBRA: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
In 2021, amid global challenges, Santa Fe shares its historic ritual to dispel gloom, doom, and pandemic despair.
In 1924, artist Will Shuster created Zozobra to lift his friends' spirits. This eerie 50-foot marionette embodies humanity's ills, battling the Fire Spirit born from collective goodwill. In 1964, the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe took over, ensuring the tradition thrives. This year's event promises an unforgettable release from worries.
Typically drawing 60,000 from 50 states and 21 countries, 2021 limits attendance to 10,000 for distancing. For locals, it's Santa Fe's New Year—a symbolic fresh start.
Enduring wars, depressions, droughts, and upheavals, Zozobra debuted post-1918 Spanish Flu, making its 2021 return especially poignant.
Santa Fe invites you to shed 2021's gloom and unite in hope. Check Burn Zozobra for participation options beyond attending.
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