The burning of Zozobra (the Spanish word for anxiety) was conceived of in 1924 by artist William Howard Shuster as a ritualized destruction of the sorrows, worries, and negativity the locals may have collected in the past year. Zozobra is part of a 301 year old festival called the Fiestas de Santa Fe in New Mexico's state capital, and the highlight of the year for many New Mexicans.  During the festival, cries of “ Viva la Fiesta !” and “ Que Viva !” —and, later, “Burn Him!” echo down the streets.  

Santa Fe soaks up the summer sun before the burning of Zozobra, also known as "Old Man Gloom."

At 89 years running, Zozobra is sixty two years older than Burning Man and attracts a crowd of 30,000.

Zozobra, towering 50-feet high, has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest marionette.

Zozobra is a stunning display of pyrotechnics, even before the burning starts.

A groaning, 50-foot marionette with glowing red eyes? 

Not nightmare-inducing at all.

At last, the burning begins!

As he burns, Zozobra's groans escalate into screams.  He waves his arms around in a panic. (Here come those nightmares again.)

It's not long before Zozobra's screams fade and his arms fall to his sides.

Reduced to ashes, Zozobra collapses, signaling the washing away of the previous year's sorrows. There is a sense of catharsis in the air. (Or is that sulfur?)