I Love Free Software Day 2024: Forging the Future with Free Software

[Tommaso Marmo]

Dear Barcelona Free Software Team,

The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a charity that empowers users to control technology.

Each year, on the 14th of February, the FSFE, together with Free Software organisations around the globe, celebrates “I love Free Software Day”: a celebration to all the contributors to different Free Software projects, be them large or small. We celebrate those advocating for Free Software and those who support Free Software in any other way, and we show our appreciation to the countless contributors of software freedom. Furthermore, we take advantage of this opportunity to promote our favourite type of software: Free Software.

Imagine a Free Software community that is friendly and welcoming. A Free Software community that cares about the contributions made by its members. Such Free Software communities already exist out there, and we all can become like one of them by simply saying “Thank you for your contribution”.
A simple thank you can motivate others to keep contributing, can encourage new people to participate and form a friendly and welcoming community. With a simple ‘Thank you’ you can share your appreciation of Free Software and its contributors. Free Software is software that needs people caring about it. Be part of the ‘I Love Free Software Day 2024: Forging the future with Free Software’ and share your appreciation for Free Software.

For the “I Love Free Software Day 2024: Forging the future with Free Software” we want to focus on involving young generations in Free Software. On this day you can organise an event targeted for younger people to highlight their contributions to Free Software.
  
For more ideas on how to participate in the upcoming “I Love Free Software Day 2024: Forging the future with Free Software”. Here are some suggestions:

* create a short video with a “Thank You” message to your favourite Free Software project on your mobile phone, for example. You can share this via your preferred social media channel with the hashtag #ilovefs.
* create a Sharepic with our Sharepic Generator of yourself and include a personal “Thank You” message. The Sharepic can be uploaded on your preferred social media platform with the hashtag #ilovefs. https://sharepic.fsfe.org
* Organise a local get-together with your colleagues, friends, or family to celebrate and recognize the work of the contributors of Free Software. Reach out to your nearest local group (https://fsfe.org/community/groups.html) for a meet-up.
* Order for free some ilovefs balloons and posters! Take pictures and share them on social media with #ilovefs.  https://fsfe.org/contribute/spreadtheword.en.html#ilovefs
* Order for free some ilovefs postcards to send to your favourite Free Software project or contributor: https://fsfe.org/contribute/spreadtheword.en.html#ilovefs
       
For more information, ideas, and inspirations see our I Love Free Software activity page: ilovefs.org.

The “I Love Free Software Day” is an important tradition for the Free Software community. The more people participate, the more we can show how significant the contributors and the developers of Free Software are to our society. Take a few moments on Wednesday, 14 February 2024, and show your love for Free Software!
Share the knowledge about Free Software and spread the word about the four freedoms: Use, Understand, Share, and Improve.

Thank you!
If you have any questions feel free to reach out to us at any time.

Kind regards,
Tommaso Marmo and Bonnie Mehring

-- 
Tommaso (Tommi) Marmo - Intern - Free Software Foundation Europe
Schönhauser Allee 6/7, 10119 Berlin, Germany | t +49-30-27595290
Registered at Amtsgericht Hamburg, VR 17030  | (fsfe.org/support)
Contact tommi at fsfe.org                       | Weblog tommi.space