February 2026

This Valentine’s Day, Internet Archive Europe invites you to celebrate love — not just romantic love, but love for free software, open technologies, and the communities that care for them.

On Saturday, 14 February, we’re opening our doors in Amsterdam for a special afternoon event combining a children’s book reading, thoughtful conversation, and a shared commitment to a more open digital future: “Ada & Zangemann” book reading & I ♥ Free Software Day.

A story about curiosity, courage, and open technology

At the heart of the afternoon is a simultaneous Dutch and English reading of Ada & Zangemann, a beloved children’s book spinning a Tale of Software, Skateboards, and Raspberry Ice Cream, written by Matthias Kirschner, President of the Free Software Foundation Europe.

The story follows Ada, a curious young inventor, and explores why hacking, tinkering, and open technologies matter, not only for developers, but for society at large. While written for children, the book resonates just as strongly with adults who care about digital autonomy, learning, and creativity.

Whether you’re coming with kids, colleagues, or simply your curiosity, the reading offers a gentle but powerful reminder: technology should empower people, not lock them in.

From stories to systems: caring for the Fediverse

After the reading, the conversation continues with a presentation by Mayel de Borniol on Bonfire, a modular Fediverse project co-designed with communities. The focus? Not hype, but maintenance, sustainable funding, and care work in open digital ecosystems.

Because love for free software doesn’t stop at writing code. It also means caring for the people and structures that keep these projects alive over time, an especially fitting reflection for Valentine’s Day.

Event details

• 📅 Date: Saturday, 14 February
• ⏰ Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM CET
• 📍 Location: Internet Archive Europe, Oudeschans 16, 1011 KZ Amsterdam
• 🎟 Registration: Required (via Luma)

Hosted and presented by Internet Archive Europe, the event is free and open to anyone who believes that openness, collaboration, and care deserve to be celebrated — today and every day.

This Valentine’s Day, skip the clichés. Come celebrate stories, software, and the people who keep the digital commons alive.

We <3 Free Software. And we’d love to see you there. 💖