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98th Burning of Zozobra

Written by Bailee Wilson | Aug 23, 2022 2:36:16 AM

New Mexico is full of unique cultural events. For nearly 100 years, Santa Fe has home to an unusual, exciting event called The Burning of Zozobra. This September, you can experience it for yourself! 

Photo from https://www.facebook.com/TheOfficialBurningOfZozobra 

The Burning of Zozobra is a New Mexico tradition. This cultural event is staged annually by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, NM. It takes place on Labor Day Friday (September 2, 2022) as an electrifying finale to the summer. 

Photo from https://www.facebook.com/TheOfficialBurningOfZozobra 

The event was created by Will Shuster, a member of the artist group the Los Cinco Pintores, way back in the 1920s. The first Zozobra puppet was six feet tall, but today the puppet stands at a massive 50 feet. Zozobra is composed of wood, wire, and cotton cloth. It is stuffed with hundreds of bags of shredded paper representing "glooms" - anxieties, worries, and woes of the past year that have been written on paper. The puppet and "glooms" are set on fire, much to the delight of all who watch. 

Want to submit glooms to burn? Click here: https://burnzozobra.com/gloom/ 

Ready to get your tickets? Click here: https://burnzozobra.com/tickets/ 

Don't miss this iconic, authentic New Mexican tradition. Make plans to attend the Burning of Zozobra!