EuroPython 2026 from my perspective

EuroPython in Krakow

This time it was in Krakow, Poland. It's a nice city and I really enjoyed the organizers' attention with the free public transport with our conference badge.

Sarah's badge, with multiple stickers and holographic sticker for public transport

It was not my first time in the city, thanks to my lovely best friend Lauriane, I have seen Krakow in winter. It's nice to see in summer. It's definitely not the same.

Wawel Cathedral in Kraków

I have done a walking tour with my Django friends, it's nice to see the city with some fun stories behind.

Since it's the city of pierogi, I ate some, of course. And I love those candies, it's like caramels, I took some before to leave the country for home.

Pierogi and potato dumplings

Black Python Devs representative

The previous time I went as DSF representative to promote Django and the foundation, it was the first time we have a booth and I'm really glad I lead this initiative and this is still on going. We always have good conversations and interesting feedback.

Sarah presenting the Black Python Devs booth

This time, I decided to represent Black Python Devs (BPD), a community which I'm part of, and help the representation in Europe since we can clearly see the representation from America and Africa but not so much from Europe according to me, despite the people here or coming here for different purpose.

I was leading the first BPD booth in Europe, and in EuroPython, which is pretty cool!

I'm really glad I did, I had positive feedbacks and potential contact for partnership/help or community booth in other conferences which is amazing.

Black Python Devs booth with women community members

Unfortunately, they were many people from the BPD community who told me they would love to volunteer to the booth or catch-up there but they didn't managed to come. Most of the time it's visa issue or financial issue, or both.

If you are not aware, visa have a certain cost, in addition to the travel, accommodation and food to go, and all the things to enjoy your trip, because it's still going to another country than yours. It's rare that grants will cover everything, especially if you are coming from another continent.

It's heartbreaking, but I know many people who keep doing it despite the struggle, because one day, it works. All this struggle worth the hassle when you can meet the people you have talking to remotely for years, meet new people, get new opportunities or even get a job.

If you are an organizer, consider giving invitation letter as early as you can. Yes, it's some work to do, it's difficult to handle cancellation afterward, I know, but you can change someone's life.

I have been lucky to have my lovely friend Raffaella Suardini to help me with the booth, in addition to Sandra Ashipala, one member of the BPD Council, I enjoyed meet in real life. And also, my Django friends, Paolo Melchiorre, Baptiste Mispelon, Thibaud Colas, Tom Carrick, Alex Gomez to give a look when I wasn't around, as they had their booth next to mine 💚

Django Girls organizer

The Django Girls group photo

I decided to organize a Django Girls workshop with Raffaella. We were both first-time workshop organizers but both coaches in previous workshops. The thing is the timing to organize it was really tight for us since we applied quite late due to some circumstances but we were hopeful that even if the organization is messy, the goal worth the hassle.

It was worth it! We had lovely participants and coaches, and we managed to have a great workshop. I was so happy to see the participants enjoying the workshop and learning new things.

Sarah blowing a balloon while looking at Raffaella

Huge shout-out to Raffaella for being a great main organizer and to the coaches for their time and dedication.

How the conference went for me

Considering I had a community booth to handle and all the things that go into preparing it. I didn't see so many talks, I was mostly at the booth, or randomly talking with folks I saw while going to get food or check for something.

I have enjoyed the workshop from Georgi Ker, Open Community Leadership. We saw that we have so many things in common; even if it's not the same community, same region, same culture, we felt so close to each other. We don't always realize that this project, this community may have the same issue. It was nice to write down things on your project and realize what is good and less good, what we didn't think about at all, what we could improve, and ask others what they think of our problems. Provide creative solutions, or sometimes just say or get: "hey we can have a chat after" or "I could introduce you to someone!" was great.

All the keynotes were wonderful, I was so glad to meet Marlene in person for the first time. We have been chatting online many times, pretty sure you wouldn't notice that this is the first time we are meeting when you see us talking haha. Same for Paul Everitt, I really enjoyed the livestream with Sarah Boyce and I was hoping to see him in person one day. Happy to have been in the room to see both keynoting.

I managed to see old friends like Saurav Jain and Naa Nortey, and my Django friends 💚

There are many people to name, but if I try to name everyone, I might miss naming someone and I want to avoid this.

I meet new folks, get some contacts and learn things. I still need to review talks online but this is the thing we always say and don't do or just few of the list we have planned to do 😂

And I got quality time with very cool people, like those awesome women in the picture:

Dawn Wages, Lais Carvalho, Sarah Abderemane, Marlene Mhangami, Jodie Burchell, Anwesha Das and Kalli Rantou, all smiling

I had so much fun following Kshitijaa Jaglan to get answers for her survey and be the supportive girl to ask the questions or try to ask to people we don't know at all, or famous people like Guido Van Rossum. We did it and it was really interesting to get the view of people.

I hope to come next year, have more time to chat since time flies when you're having fun.

See you next year, maybe? 🤞