Debconf23 Recap: Open Souce Community, Collaboration and Fun.

DebCamp is part of the Debian Conference experience—a quieter, more intense run-up to DebConf proper. It's a focused block of time for contributors to work on their projects, sit down together to collaborate, and prepare before the main event really gets underway. It's also a thoughtful way of helping international attendees to beat jet lag and get accustomed to the environment before the full fury of the conference grabs hold.

DebConf23 officially kicked off on the 10th of September, and the atmosphere instantly shifted from the calm of DebCamp to an electrifying buzz. That morning, the hotel lobby was packed with people from every corner of the globe—contributors, developers, volunteers, and Debian enthusiasts—all gathered for the biggest event in the Debian calendar. The audience, the badges, the stickers, the expectation—it was all a dream. Four rooms were designated for distinct kinds of sessions: short talks, long talks, Birds of a Feather (BoF) sessions, and workshops. It was a free flow of information and co-working, and I was right in the midst of it all, drinking it all in.

The first event I took part in was the legendary Debian Key Signing Party. It’s a tradition in the Debian community, aimed at building trust through cryptographic key exchange. Even though I was new to all this, the sheer seriousness and structure of it fascinated me. From that point onward, sessions began and didn’t stop. Every day, from 10:30 AM to 6:45 PM, rooms were filled with passionate talks, technical sessions, and live demos. The size and uniformity of the schedule illustrated exactly how enormous and meticulously planned DebConf truly is. It was not simply a conference—it was an open source celebration at its best.

Every session provided fresh insights. The packaging workshops provided me with direct experience with tools I had only previously read about. Presentations such as "Using FOSS to fight for Digital Freedom" and "Digital security with Free Software" were enlightening and further solidified my dedication to open technologies. You can view the complete agenda of the conference here.

Hands-On Workshops

One of the best parts for me was the "Live packaging workshop" session, where I got to gain hands-on experience packaging Debian software. It was thrilling to finally be able to apply the theory I had learned from reading about it in a live situation. The trainers were very assisting, and I left with practical know-how that I can use to make contributions to the Debian community.

By week's end, I was watching some sessions in my hotel room as the conference was streamed live on television. It gave me a break without missing key talks. Those moments made me realize what an amazing opportunity this had been. DebConf23 was not all talks or technology—it was about passion, people, and purpose. It was one week of learning, unlearning, witnessing, and above all, being a part of a community that shares the vision of creating something positive for the world.

September 13, 2023, was not an ordinary day at DebConf23—it was the much-awaited day trip, and I had enrolled in Tour A: a visit to the serene Athirappilly Waterfalls accompanied by a jungle safari. The anticipation was high as we assembled outside Four Points by Sheraton at 8 AM, backpacks on and cameras at hand. Our chartered bus came out shortly afterwards, making its way through the dense greenery of Kerala, the morning sun cutting through the misty atmosphere.

The journey itself was calming, with chats flitting between technospeak, travel tales, and wondering what lay in store. Drawing closer to Athirappilly, the roar of rushing water started teasing our ears. And suddenly, there it stood—the waterfall in all its splendor. Towering, thunderous, Athirappilly seemed alive, almost breathing, with a beat that reverberated off the rocks and trees surrounding it.

We walked down a moderately sloping path to approach the bottom more closely, each step revealing a progressively breathtaking view. Mist clung to skin and lenses, and all were in hysterics attempting to snap the ideal selfie. Standing in front of the falls was humbling; nature's raw power always has a way of putting things into perspective.

Post our waterfall immersion, we headed for the jungle safari. While this wasn’t a rugged open-jeep affair, the bus took us through dense patches of tropical forest, and our guide pointed out interesting flora and fauna along the way. We even had a few spontaneous stops where we got down to soak in the surroundings and spot wildlife.

TAlthough we failed to lay eyes on elephants and big cats, the peacefulness of the jungle and the song of birds made it all worthwhile. In return, muddy feet and aching calves in hand, what remained was a profound feeling of satisfaction. The tour had been something more than sight-seeing—more like a reset button in the midst of a tech-dense conference. I encountered other Debian fanatics in the most unconventional manner possible—swapping anecdotes over crowded lunches beneath massive trees, not Wi-Fi connections.

If there’s one thing that added an extra spark to the DebConf23 experience, it was the food—and as a self-proclaimed mad foodie, I soaked in every bite. Hosted at Four Points by Sheraton, our buffet spreads for breakfast, lunch, and dinner were nothing short of a gastronomic gala. Every meal was an exploration: a mix of authentic Kerala cuisine, pan-Indian delicacies, and international options that catered to every taste bud in the room.

The mornings began with the aroma of freshly ground coffee, crispy dosas, puttu, and a mouth-watering array of pastries and fruits. Lunch and dinner were more elaborate—with live counters, hot curries, soft rice varieties, exotic vegetables, seafood specials, and of course, mouthwatering sweets. It was a festival in my mouth every single day. I remember tend to overload my plate like it's going out of style—the each dish calling to me with its rich hue and inescapable scent.

One of the moments was certainly the Onam celebration on the 12th of September. On this day, tradition was in full show. We had a traditional Onam Sadya on banana leaves—several vegetable dishes arranged with care and devotion. From the avial and olan to the rich payasam at the conclusion, it was a lovely, heartwarming experience, something I had not seen in photographs or on the silver screen before.

However, as the days rolled by and the buffet kept coming, even this enthusiastic foodie began to mellow down. By the end of the week, I found myself leaning more towards lighter fare—salads, snacks, and of course, desserts (because who can resist those?). It wasn’t that the food got boring, but maybe I had reached my buffet saturation point!

In hindsight, the food journey at DebConf23 was like a side adventure of its own—delicious, diverse, and deeply satisfying. Whether it was the excitement of trying something new, the comfort of familiar tastes, or just bonding with fellow attendees over a shared meal, it all added to the charm of the event.

The Cheese and Wine Party is a long-standing tradition in the Debian Conference community, and DebConf23 in Kochi was no exception. Held on the evening of September 11, it was a unique cultural highlight where participants from around the globe brought local cheeses, snacks, and sometimes even drinks to share. Although this year’s event officially excluded public alcohol due to venue regulations, wine and other hard drinks were still shared privately among attendees. As for me, I decided not to drink anything and focused solely on soaking in the cultural richness—and the incredible variety of food.

The entire atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and community spirit. Volunteers, fondly known as "Cheese Monsters" and "Gremlins," managed everything from collecting and labeling cheeses to cutting and presenting them beautifully. I was amazed to see items like aged French Comté, Brazilian smoked provolone, deep-fried Korean honey cookies, and even Kerala’s own special cookies from Kannur. Every table represented not just food, but a story and a culture.

I strolled through this world's United Nations of food, tasting bites from all over continents, each with a different texture, smell, and story. It was as if the world had taken over the job of creating a buffet. The night was amazing even without wine—driven not by liquor, but by giggles, curiosity, and a common passion. It was a healthy, savory experience that united people in the most delectable manner.

Looking back, DebConf23 was more than just an event—it was a milestone in my journey as a developer and open-source contributor. It deepened my technical knowledge, expanded my worldview, and introduced me to a community I now proudly belong to.