In Albania, there are few instances where events and conferences successfully bring together participants from diverse backgrounds and locations while maintaining consistent levels of content quality and continuity over the years. OSCAL stands out as one such example.
Organized for eight consecutive years in Tirana by a group of passionate young individuals dedicated to open source technologies and platforms, OSCAL, which stands for Open Source Conference Albania, has become an annual cornerstone promoting software freedom, open-source software, free culture, and open knowledge—a global movement that originated more than 30 years ago.
During its latest edition, held on September 2nd and 3rd, we seized the opportunity to participate and gather feedback by introducing our project, citycommons.cc. Conceived as a platform primarily utilizing open-source software and open creative licenses, our presence at the event took on a more personalized approach. We set up an info booth featuring stickers, tote bags, and postcards showcasing important but neglected historical buildings from the two cities, Tirana and Pristina.
The response to the showcased buildings on the postcards was intriguing, particularly those that have since been demolished. Equally inspiring was the exchange of ideas and suggestions regarding the future development of the project. Thus, the booth served not merely as a spot for acquiring souvenir postcards for participants from abroad but also as a hub for engaging conversations and sharing stories and memories associated with these buildings, particularly for local attendees.
We successfully compiled a list of people interested and curious about the project's future direction. Some even selected their favorite postcards, filling them with their addresses for us to mail to their homes. This gesture enabled us to establish a more personal and intimate connection with the open-source community.
What sets CityCommons apart is its inclusivity; it is open to all. It does not belong to any single entity; rather, it is a collective efford. Our participation at OSCAL underscored that our efforts and mission resonated with numerous others within the community, further solidifying our commitment to this cause.
