As the 3rd edition of the nostr:npub1nstrcu63lzpjkz94djajuz2evrgu2psd66cwgc0gz0c0qazezx0q9urg5l unconference approaches, I find myself with a mix of emotions. #NOSTRiga will be the last edition I help organize, and it’s deeply personal for me to step away from something that has become such an integral part of my life.

This experience has been one of the most fulfilling of my life. I used to think that in order to contribute to FOSS, I had to be a developer. But I’ve learned that if you love something, you can always find a way to help it grow. Nostr.world unconferences have given me a new family—all of you on nostr—and some really close friends like every nostr.world core organizer nostr:npub16vrkgd28wq6n0h77lqgu8h4fdu0eapxgyj0zqq6ngfvjf2vs3nuq5mp2va, nostr:npub1rpes5hhk6mxun5ddt5kecxfm8y3xdr0h5jwal32mc6mxafr48hxsaj2et2, nostr:npub1papldckxytp2m8met6hyeh37m0cn6e32j03srl6thy4gq3tqrz3srq8t4n, nostr:npub19vvkfwy9mcluhvehw7r56p4stsj5lmx4v9g3vgkwsm3arpgef8aqsrt562, nostr:npub1a7n2h5y3gt90y00mwrknhx74fyzzjqw25ehkscje58x9tfyhqd5snyvfnu, nostr:npub14f26g7dddy6dpltc70da3pg4e5w2p4apzzqjuugnsr2ema6e3y6s2xv7lu, nostr:npub1az9xj85cmxv8e9j9y80lvqp97crsqdu2fpu3srwthd99qfu9qsgstam8y8, and my PR BFF nostr:npub1j8y6tcdfw3q3f3h794s6un0gyc5742s0k5h5s2yqj0r70cpklqeqjavrvg.

It’s because of this unconference that I found a home with the nostr:npub19mduaf5569jx9xz555jcx3v06mvktvtpu0zgk47n4lcpjsz43zzqhj6vzk and nostr:npub14kw5ygpl6fyqagh9cnrytyaqyacg46lzkq42vz7hk8txdk49kzxs04j7y0 team. I love these guys: nostr:npub1lrnvvs6z78s9yjqxxr38uyqkmn34lsaxznnqgd877j4z2qej3j5s09qnw5, nostr:npub1xy54p83r6wnpyhs52xjeztd7qyyeu9ghymz8v66yu8kt3jzx75rqhf3urc, nostr:npub1t2wy3j850q34zy6amzw9mzfsl66eedcx2tlaxlv3v7leytedzp5szs8c2u, nostr:npub1hqaz3dlyuhfqhktqchawke39l92jj9nt30dsgh2zvd9z7dv3j3gqpkt56s, and nostr:npub1tvqc82mv8cezhax5r34n4muc2c4pgjz8kaye2smj032nngg52clq0rkrq4 —my go-to trash-talking team. And honestly, there are so many more special individuals that I can’t tag you all, but everyone helping grow nostr has definitely touched my heart.

Though it’s heartbreaking to move away from organizing this event, I am excited to focus on the other projects I am passionate about. This isn’t goodbye; I will still be here, continuing to contribute to FOSS with the different projects I am blessed to collaborate with, and working hard to create bridges to grow nostr and keep freedom of speech alive.

Thanks to all of you for giving me this opportunity, especially nostr:npub1sg6plzptd64u62a878hep2kev88swjh3tw00gjsfl8f237lmu63q0uf63m for trusting this whole team to deliver events around the world, allowing people to express themselves in the best environment possible.

I can’t wait to see everyone in Riga for the whole Riga Bitcoin Week. I hope the next person who joins the team feels free to talk to me about anything they need. And if any of you ever wants to talk about nostr, marketing, events, bitcoin, or just needs someone to reach out to on this journey of fighting the status quo, feel free to talk to me!

Stay classy nostr,

Marce 💜