“IT TAKES TENACITY, CREATIVITY AND BRAVERY TO GET YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY TO A NEW COUNTRY TO BEGIN YOUR LIFE OVER AGAIN. AT THE VERY LEAST, EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO CALL HOME.”
-BECCA HELLER
The journey to Burning Man involves leaving behind the familiar and embarking on a journey towards the unknown. This shared experience resonates deeply with the journey of immigrants, refugees, and boat people, who leave behind everything they know to navigate unfamiliar territory in search of a sense of home in an unlikely place. Black Rock City Refugee Camp celebrates the strength, resilience, ingenuity, and compassion of these remarkable communities.
Introducing Viet Blast-off Balls “Cơm Bóp Gửi đi” – these delectable jasmine rice balls are filled with savory meat cotton and topped with your choice of flavorful options such as Viet pickles, sesame seeds, furikake, hot sauce, or chili flakes.
Cơm Bóp Gửi đi* ( Viet Blast-off Balls) is a humble, but soulful Viet dish of cooked rice and cha bong (meat cotton). The act of shaping and forming the rice in your hands to make it portable to give to your child or a loved one to send them off on their journey— whether it be a short one to school or in our case, a long journey across the ocean– is meaningful and powerful.
Later when you go to eat the Cơm Bóp, it is not only delicious, but above all, it brings you comfort taking you back to the beginning of your journey reminding you that you are loved and cared for no matter where you are
At its core, Chanoyu embraces “ichi-go ichi-e,” where every tea gathering is a one-of-a-kind encounter, never to be repeated. The sharing of a bowl of tea unites hearts and minds. Strangers can become friends, and barriers can dissolve over a shared appreciation of a simple yet profound experience.
Join us at Black Rock City Refugee Camp, where our stories intertwine, where the windswept desert echoes our triumphs and where we celebrate the strength of those who have journeyed far, guided by hope and the promise of a better life.
In our camp, we build more than just shade structures; we forge a community where shared meals and gifts symbolize the unity we sought in times of uncertainty. Together, we navigate the uncharted territories of the playa. With open hearts, we welcome all who seek solace, camaraderie, and belonging. Through collaboration, we construct a beautiful haven, reminding us of the home we left behind and the new one we’ve discovered.
As we dance under the desert stars, engulfed in the shimmering playa dust, we are reminded that we are not defined by our past but empowered by the dreams of our future. Join our journey of resilience and celebration, as we create a space where the enduring spirit of immigrants, refugees, and boat people shines brightly in the heart of Black Rock City.
Under the guiding principle of Radical Self Reliance, each burner takes responsibility for their needs to survive in the remote desert. However, as a community, we collaborate on certain survival necessities, building and bringing them together to provide essential elements for a vibrant and thriving camp experience.
