It’s been a month since WordCamp Europe in Kraków (June, 4-7th), but the energy from those days is still very present.
For a few days, it felt like time slowed down inside a big bubble where only good things were happening: conversations about WordPress and communities, fast-moving ideas, discovering new places and food, and meeting so many amazing people.
It was intense in the best way—like everything important was happening at the same time, and there was never enough time for it all.
Looking back to my first WCEU experience…
I can’t stop looking back at my first WordCamp Europe experience, 7 years ago, WCEU Berlin.
I attended alone, completly outside of my confort zone, wondering Why am I here? Why am I doing this? I don’t remember many details from my first WCEU, only that it felt both overwhelming and exciting at the same time. I was surrounded by so many WordPress professionals and enthusiasts, and also explored Berlin on my own (the Berlin Wall, and an unforgettable bike ride under blooming trees). I remember the great vibe, the smiling faces, and the energy of being part of such a big community. That experience — discovering new places on my own and experiencing that community energy —made me want to come back.
With each WordCamp, something changed. I found small ways to make it more useful for myself. I met a few people and started feeling part of the community. I volunteered in 2023 (Athens), attended with a goal to learn how to build accessible websites in 2024 (Turin), and became a backup speaker in 2025 (Basel).
Attending with a Goal
I’ve learned over the years that I need a goal when I go to WordCamp Europe.
There is too much energy, too many people, too many directions. Without focus, everything becomes overwhelming.
- In Turin (2024), my goal was to learn how to build accessible websites. And it was a pivotal event in my career. I wrote an article about that experience.
- The following year (2025, Basel), my goal was to establish my work in accessibility and connect with agencies. I wrote about what I learned and how this event helped me achieve that goal.
This year, my goal was different: I came to connect to people, recharge with good eneregy, and learn as much as possible about growing our local WordPress Meetup community.
Learning from Community Leaders
At the Community Table during Contributor Day, I learned from Meetup organizers and community leaders from all over the world—ideas, enthusiasm, and a deep passion for people. I was inspired by many different stories and continued to follow these leaders and learn how to grow local communities.
I had a very insightful conversation with Bud Krauss, where I learned something simple but powerful: “Hey, we are all friends here!” And we’ll continue this conversation and the Seriously, Bud? Podcast.
At the Community Booth, I spent half a day meeting and interacting with people. The days passed quickly, talking, sharing ideas, exchanging experiences, and helping attendees with different and engaging challenges. The shifts were quite intense, but I was fully present, happy and content with every moment.
And the discussions continued throughout the whole event.
By the end, I realized, I didn’t attend to the sessions, or to visit any sponsor booth (except Automattic’s). The days simply weren’t enough for everything I wanted to experience.
What We Can Build Together
This year’s WordCamp Europe was more about reconnecting with friends, ideas, experiences, and new connections. It was about seeing how the local community grows—how ideas spark when we are together, and how easily we can create meaningful moments when the same passion is shared.
What we are building locally is more than a Meetup. It is a community with potential to grow, expand, and take shape in bigger ways. We realized that it can become something even more powerful when we bring this energy back home and continue building together. And maybe the next step of that shared vision could be something bigger: WordCamp Bucharest!
Reconnecting to Chopin’s Music in Poland
This year, I also took a special moment for myself. One of my dreams when visiting Kraków was to attend a Chopin recital.
In my previous career as a professional musician, Chopin was one of my preferred composers. I played his music, studied it, and carried it with me for years.
Being in Poland, in his country, and sitting in that concert felt like reconnecting more deeply with Chopin’s music, in the place where it belongs. I still play his work, and I wanted to experience that connection between his music, history, and place. For about an hour, in a cozy, historic setting, everything else disappeared—just Chopin’s music and a quiet sense of something timeless and deeply moving.
A Huge Mistake Ending with Big Luck
Before the event even properly started, I made a mistake. I booked the accommodation 8 months ago, assuming it was close to the venue, but I didn’t check the address properly. When I arrived in Kraków, I realized the hotel was nowhere near where I needed to be. At that moment, everything felt like it was falling apart. It was right before the event started, and also before a long national holiday, so everything nearby was fully booked. And it wasn’t just about me, it was also for my friend, whom I had promised already have a room booked!
For about two hours, I had no idea what to do. Then I just started moving step by step. I took a Bolt to the booked hotel, talked to reception, explained the situation, and quickly checked Booking again. And then suddenly, a room appeared available very close to the venue—a quiet and cozy place.
Looking back, I learned a life lesson: it’s not always about perfect planning. It’s about adapting when things go wrong and taking the next doable step.
More than a Networking Event
WordCamp Europe Krakow was, once again, more than a networking event. It was an unforgetable experience of pushing my limits, discovering new places, connected with amazing people, and contribute to something more powerful.
I am grateful to be part of this community and to create unforgettable experiences together. The WordPress community is not a cliché, it is a real connection between people who share the same passion and energy.
Thank you to everyone I met, talked with, and connected with. And thank you to everyone involved: organisers, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees.
See you next year in Málaga!
