A Brief History of FOSDEM

Founded in 2001

by Raphaël Bauduin as OSDEM.

First event

held at Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) with ~200 attendees.

Grew to become

one of the largest open-source events

globally.

Core values

: Free to attend, volunteer-run, and vendor-neutral.

The FOSDEM 2025 Program

50+ devrooms

, each dedicated to specific topics or communities:

Embedded systems, Python, decentralized internet, documentation, and more.

Highlighted keynotes

:

Talks from prominent figures in the open-source community.

Topics addressing the future of open-source collaboration and technology.

FOSDEM Junior track

:

Workshops and talks designed for younger attendees.

All content in English, which could be a challenge for some kids.

Lightning talks

:

15-minute presentations showcasing a variety of projects and ideas.

Side-Events: Bytenight and More

Bytenight

:

Casual evening gathering for networking and unwinding.

Offers a relaxed, vibrant atmosphere to share ideas and connect.

Unofficial FOSS-Nerds-Only Party at HSBXL

:

Known informally as "Bytenight at HSBXL."

A private gathering for open-source enthusiasts and contributors.

Hosted at the

Hackerspace Brussels (HSBXL)

, providing an intimate, nerd-centric atmosphere.

Includes engaging conversations, demonstrations of projects, and a chance to meet like-minded individuals in a more exclusive setting.

Other informal meetups and social events scattered across Brussels.

Enter OFFDEM: An Open-Source Evolution

What is OFFDEM?

Stands for "Off FOSDEM."

Created as an

alternative for those unhappy with FOSDEM's corporate tone

.

Prioritizes

informal, experimental, and non-commercial discussions

.

Key features

:

Decentralized gathering with workshops, art installations, and unconference-style sessions.

Reflects the

diversity and adaptability

of the open-source community.

Complementary to FOSDEM

:

Not a competition but an extension of the open-source ethos.

Why FOSDEM Matters

Celebration of open-source values

:

Collaboration, transparency, and freedom.

Opportunities

:

Exchange ideas, launch projects, and strengthen communities.

Inclusivity

:

A space for everyone, from seasoned contributors to newcomers.

Wrapping Up

Key takeaways

:

FOSDEM showcases the best of community-driven initiatives.

Side-events like Bytenight and OFFDEM highlight the evolving open-source spirit.

Join the conversation

:

Share your experiences, must-visit devrooms, or favorite talks.

Webpages

FOSDEM

OFFDEM

Byenight

FOSDEM companion