Galicia WordPress Day in Lugo is a small summer plan, but full of affection and good vibes, where people get together to chat, share, and spend the day with family in a unique place like the Clube de Campo e Tiro de Bonxe; without big budgets or formalities, with activities, picnics, games, and conversations that really connect. I’ll tell you all the details .
It is evident that I cannot be objective about the WordPress community to which I am so linked from many points of view, as I have written in dozens of articles on this blog.
But I am always surprised by the creativity and affection that many of the organizers of these communities and events put in to continue innovating and adapting to their own reality.
I have talked a lot about WordCamps, meetups, do_action, which are types of events of the WordPress community, very characteristic and well known.
But sometimes we tend to ignore smaller events, which do not involve large budgets, or dozens of calls to sponsors, or lists of speakers; but only the desire to share and that for me is what the Lugo WordPress community has created with the Galicia WordPress Day that they usually celebrate in summer (August).
This year was its second edition (2025) and I have had the immense fortune to be part of both calls and for me it has become one of the most beautiful WordPress events you can attend. A great plan in the middle of summer!
Why is it nice to attend an event like this?
Because it is the essence of the WordPress community. Simply, connect with other people, collaborate and share. Without frills or vinegar ostias.
And in Lugo, they are doing it in a way that, I think, is an example for all other groups.
Other types of events can be done (there is a greater tendency to this diversity). It does not have to be all the magnitude of a WordCamp, and meet some very noble and authentic objectives. That is what I have felt inside the Galicia WordPress day.
Last year (2024) they had the initiative to gather us as a kind of picnic in summer in a rather curious place. It does not leave you indifferent.
It is the «Clube de Campo e Tiro de Bonxe», in Outeiro de Rei. It is an old social club that had a time of splendor three decades ago (it was founded in 1973), and that at present, the passage of time and the changes in society, have made these facilities frankly abandoned.
It endures thanks to the effort of a few members who want to keep it as a space for sports practice with tennis as a flag; and at some point (if possible) try to recover the splendor that this place once had.
It is nice because the Lugo group takes us to this space to understand a little the genesis of the club, so that in some way we have a sensitivity to enjoy that space (more than 65,000 m² according to the web) and that of course we can celebrate our «xuntanzas» in a different way than they are usually celebrated.
Upon arrival, they give us a tourist route to explain a little about the facilities and the origin of this social club and what are the next steps they want to take.
Afterwards, the organizers create networking initiatives to get to know each other (last year a round table), talk about different topics, really encouraging a very powerful community day that is not usual.
This year they separated us into groups and we had to solve a fictitious situation of a Galician company in the middle of the unpleasant situation of the fires and how it could stay afloat with a budget limited to €3,000. I went with a group of smart people (that’s what it seemed to me when I saw them, and I verified it later), but nothing, we didn’t win, but we had a great time, which is what matters 😉
Unfortunately, in some WordCamps, the dynamics of the talks, two rooms, the number of people, makes everything much more accelerated. And that’s fine, but having these more leisurely spaces seems wonderful to me.
In the Galicia WordPress day, the conversation is the real protagonist and it is the most beautiful thing that a day like this has.
We do not realize how important a good conversation can be. It can allow us to change our perspective, get to know a good book, a series, pivot our business model, improve the way we raise our children, contacts and ideas that can improve our reality.
In good conversations, spaces for reflection, for relief are generated. If you have active listening, you will see many wonderful things about the people who approach these parties. Their fears, illusions, goals. You just have to have a little sensitivity and curiosity.
As David Pastor Vico says in his book: «Ethics for the distrustful»:
«A solitary meal, without a friend with whom to share a conversation, is a wasted opportunity to be happy»
Last year they had asked for collaboration with food from all the participants and attendees and we gathered with an incredible amount of food, which of course was left over as usual in Galicia, and what about this year?
The sponsor and great friend, who is Jonathan Martínez from LucusHost, put the food, drink. And the rest, we collaborated with desserts to have this group meal, where we simply dedicated ourselves to sharing and talking.
Games, contests, a picnic and a totally different day outdoors in the interior of a beautiful Galician province that is the community of Lugo, which allows us to see that the WordPress community can reach everything they want. It is as simple as looking for an «excuse» to get together and talk.
As you can see in the photos, I enjoy it a lot. It is a day where it is also encouraged that you go with your family.
By the way, the «president» (as we affectionately call Sabela) took the opportunity to introduce us to her beautiful girl: Loaira.
So I use this article with three clear objectives:
(1) If you have not been part of any of the editions, what the hell are you waiting for? Join their group on meetup and you will be aware of their news and future calls.
(2) To greet all the people who attended. I had a great time and had a luxury Saturday thanks to sharing hugs, relief and good conversations. Everyone knows what I mean depending on the case 😉
(3) To congratulate the organizers: my good friend Carlos Longarela (and his family, Xiana and Marga), Anxo Sánchez, Saúl Vérez and Juan Ramón Morales. Thank you for this beautiful initiative, and for allowing us to have this meeting point in summer. 🙏
I hope you all have a lot of strength so that the tradition can last much longer and evolve in a positive way. I do not know what the destiny of the Clube de Campo de Bouxe will be, but without a doubt with the energy that they bring with these initiatives, it deserves to evolve and rise from the ashes.
Long life and prosperity to WordPress!
