Rumour has it the other Brussels Free Software meeting will happen on
saturday 2026-01-31 and sunday 2026-02-01. Are people working on finding
a venue for O₆FFDEM at that weekend? Any news yet?
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I dont know about venues but I did notice that a former retirement home is now run by The Red Cross, seemingly offering assistance commensurate with previous hosts:
Its on 42-46 Avenue De La Couronne - which would be accessible for people moving this way or that way:
It may be a little smaller and there may be more restrictions than previous years but is to good spec.
I dont know, its a large building - I reckon we could try to use the ‘basement enclosure’, which is on the perpendicular street below (I love that massive rail arch, one of my favourite urban architectures given the angle - it reminds me of a Barbera Hepworth).
If needed I can wander around Sunday or Monday when one of the directors may be present.
… or otherwise somebody more articulate in French.
… I shalll keep thinking of locations though Im sure there are local communities who can resolve this better than I.
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks!
hellekin and/or natacha might have some valuable contacts too, i guess
it’s good to get in touch with them too.
Bye,
Joost
Perhaps I will contact Foyer already just incase:
I did lots of volunteering with them back in the day (book reading for kids, including multimedia for libraries), so hopefully I can call in some favours.
They are that classic mix of progressive and conservative,… I may have to sound out how tolerant they are having so many chainsmokers in their courtyard or on the street.
Dears,
It great to read you engaging with next OFFDEM this is so relieving.
@indieterminacy I am not sure about the place you are talking about,do you know who is occupying the place.
We were thinking of pursuing our collaboration with Zone Neutre particularly since they have recently achieved a great Victory:
But indeed it would be necessary to have other options as we are never certain they will manage to keep up with this.
Regarding the dates, we are wondering wether it is still pertinent to stick to FOSDEM dates, for comfort reasons we were thinking of moving to month of April as we will not be as cold as in february and it will allow a more focused work.
I will make a post today about this and it would be great to have your opinion.
The first post concerns a site which is managed by The Red Cross.
I was there last for a cultural event run by Musiek Publique.
The other site is owned and controlled by the ASBL Foyer.
They do have enough physical space which is used for their own secretariat and social service activities - its merely a question of convincing them to trust outsiders I suppose.
Its a pity the owner is being inflexible, hopefully the Anderlecht authorities recognizes that the latency for planning a hotel takes time and that in the interim the value is being societally maximized.
Regarding changing the schedule, I expect there would be enough willing to attend, though I feel it would be a shame to provide a distinct alternative to the approaches that occur at Fosdem.
Ill message Foyer later this week.
If they show interest then heating and capacity would not be an issue.
The location is here (just off the canal, near Ribaucort):
@indieterminacy I understand it can probably be a more comfortable place, but OFFDEM has always been organised in places that are ran directly by the people who use them. And all the benefits go directly to them.
We are not interested in working with an intermediary, It would really not feel at ease, being hosted by any other entity than a group that is self organised.
Same thing regarding the redcross even more strong opinions there as they are object of numerous scandals and have been a hassle to all undocumented persons organisation in Brussels.
about the dates: since i have to travel from the Netherlands, and don’t have much time, for me it is very convenient I can combine fosdem and offdem in one trip to brussels. last time i introduced some international fosdem visitors (those who are interested in offdem’s topics and ideas) to offdem, i can likely do that again. otoh: i understand temperature can be an issue. i wish you wisdom in choosing the dates!
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Thanks for your feedback @joostvb
honestly I do not feel in capacity to organise OFFDEM during FOSDEM this year, unless we have a lot more engagement from OFFDEM community.
Furthermore my sentiment right now is more the need to position ourselves in the context of active collaboration of tech companies with Israel.
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