“And Beyond” Starts Here: How Drupaljam 2025 Is Rewriting the Rules

Drupaljam is not just a meetup. It’s a pulse check — a moment where Drupal’s community comes together to ask, “Where are we heading next?” On May 21, 2025, Drupaljam returns to De Fabrique, Utrecht, for the tenth time. The theme this year, “And Beyond,” is not a vague gesture toward the future. It’s a declaration of intent. It’s about widening the lens, inviting fresh energy, and laying a new foundation for the platform’s evolution.

To unpack what this year’s Drupaljam is truly about, we connected with two of the event’s organisers: Esmeralda Tijhof (Product Owner and Open Source Officer at DICTU) and Jean-Paul Vosmeer (CTO & Partner at React Online). Both serve as board members for Stichting Drupal Nederland, the volunteer-driven organisation behind the event.

Drupaljam 2025: “And Beyond” Isn’t Just a Theme — It’s a Statement

According to Jean-Paul, Drupal CMS — the rebranded, future-facing evolution of the platform — represents more than a software upgrade. It reflects the community’s evolution, and the theme “And Beyond” captures that ambition.

“With the much-anticipated arrival of Drupal CMS, the community is experiencing a renewed sense of energy, ambition, and innovation. This new version represents far more than just a software update — it’s a pivotal moment for the platform, focused on modern architecture, scalability, and future-readiness. It marks a bold step into uncharted territory, redefining what Drupal can be in the years ahead.”

He described the event not as a static gathering, but as a launchpad:

“Drupaljam 2025: And Beyond is a celebration of this exciting new chapter. It’s not just an event — it’s a launchpad for the future of Drupal. The theme captures the spirit of exploration, of pushing boundaries, and of embracing new opportunities both within and beyond the traditional community.”

In past years, Drupaljam welcomed more people from outside the Drupal ecosystem. This year, that expansion continues, with a focus on students and education.

“This year, we're expanding our reach more than ever before. Building on the success of previous editions that welcomed companies and professionals beyond the Drupal ecosystem, we’re now actively inviting universities and colleges to join. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of developers, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and show how Drupal continues to evolve and innovate at the heart of the open web.”

And above all, he emphasised this:

Why Utrecht’s De Fabrique Still Works

De Fabrique has hosted Drupaljam for over a decade, and that’s no accident. Jean-Paul explained:

“De Fabrique is a beautiful venue in a very central location in the Netherlands. It has been the venue for Drupaljam for over 10 years now. For previous editions we have looked at other locations but never found one that could match the professional collaboration and overall price/quality of De Fabrique. As Drupaljam is organised by volunteers, it helps a great deal knowing that during the day we only have to worry about the program running smoothly and every other detail of the event is dealt with by the staff of De Fabrique.”

That reliability gives the organisers space to focus on content, not logistics.

Melanie Rieback: Opening with Ethics and Urgency

This year’s event begins with a keynote that is intentionally non-technical. Jean-Paul explained that the goal is to open the day with inspiration and perspective rather than a deep technical focus. He emphasised that Melanie Rieback’s talk on Post-Growth Entrepreneurship was chosen for its relevance to the broader tech conversation. Her keynote addresses some of the most urgent issues facing the industry today — including the power dynamics of Big Tech, concerns around data sovereignty, and the need to rethink traditional models of growth and innovation.

He believes the message is especially timely:

“Her message challenges the status quo of ‘move fast and break things’ and raises important questions about ethics, autonomy, and sustainability in the digital world. This resonates deeply with the open-source mindset of the Drupal community, and with the growing awareness across Europe that we must build systems that align with local values, public interest, and long-term resilience.”

“Melanie’s keynote is not just relevant—it’s urgently necessary. It encourages us to reflect on what kind of digital future we want to create, and how we as individuals, developers, and organisations can actively contribute to a more self-reliant and responsible European tech landscape.”

Esmeralda added her own perspective:

 “I’ve seen Melanie Rieback speak before, and I was genuinely impressed — not just by her story, but by how clearly she connects visionary ideas to practical strategies. Her topic, Post-Growth Entrepreneurship, couldn’t be more relevant to the Drupal community right now.”

“Melanie challenges us to rethink how we define success — beyond growth and profit — and instead focus on resilience, equity, and long-term impact. That mindset fits beautifully with the ethos of open source.”

What struck Esmeralda most was Melanie Rieback’s concept of radical open governance. Rieback highlighted a reality many overlook: even open source projects can gradually become closed. Licenses may change, access can narrow, and governance structures can become opaque or centralised in the hands of a few. Without vigilance, core values like openness, collaboration, and freedom can quietly erode over time.

“Melanie offers not just a warning, but tools and tactics to keep our projects truly open. I think attendees will walk away with a deeper understanding of how we can protect the open source spirit — in Drupal and beyond — and how we can shape our work and communities to reflect those values at every level.”

Closing Keynote: The “Post-AI” World with Jeroen van der Most

Drupaljam 2025 won’t end with a wrap-up or a feel-good summary. It closes on a challenging and imaginative note, through the lens of art, technology, and identity.

Jean-Paul explained the thinking behind inviting Jeroen van der Most to speak:

“We close Drupaljam not just with a recap, but with a moment to reflect and unwind through the lens of art and technology. Jeroen van der Most’s keynote offers exactly that — a visionary perspective that stretches the imagination and challenges our assumptions about the future.”

In his keynote, Jeroen will explore how technology might evolve from being a tool to becoming a force in its own right, especially in the age of quantum computing and autonomous systems.

“At Drupaljam, he will explore a ‘Post-AI’ world where technology is no longer just a tool at our disposal, but begins to act as an independent force, driven by developments like quantum computing and autonomous systems. He will push us to reconsider what it means to be human in an era where machines learn, decide, and even create.”

For Drupal developers and digital professionals, Jeroen van der Most’s keynote presents a challenge: to grapple with the ethical, creative, and practical implications of a world where machines not only assist but begin to build on their own. It raises urgent questions — what do we build when machines can build? And how do we remain relevant, responsible, and human-centred in our work?

His keynote isn’t positioned as a traditional closing talk. Instead, it serves as a provocation — a deliberate push to rethink innovation. It offers a moment to pause after a day of deep learning, and to shift focus from the code itself to the broader purpose and perspective that will define Drupal’s future.

Sessions and Panels: Grounded in Today’s Challenges

The breakout sessions are not hand-picked by curators; they are community-powered.

“The strength of Drupaljam is consistency in content and quality. We have a role in picking the content of the keynote speakers. The breakout sessions, however, are community-driven. For the community, by the community. We make sure the program is well balanced between different topic themes.” — Jean-Paul Vosmeer

This year, the community has responded more strongly than ever. According to Jean-Paul:

“We are proud to see that more and more international speakers are willing to travel to the Netherlands and host a session at Drupaljam. The program is packed with exciting sessions, making it hard to choose a favourite. Of course, the PubQuiz at the end is something we all look forward to!”

Esmeralda highlighted the panel on Digital Sovereignty as one of the sessions she’s most looking forward to. She noted its relevance in the context of today’s political climate and emphasised the strength of the lineup, which includes Fabrice Mous from NextCloud, Melanie Rieback, Bert Boerland, open source expert Bjorn Wijers, and Simon Besteman from the Dutch Cloud Community. She expects it to be "an honest and insightful discussion about who controls digital infrastructure—and the crucial role open source should play in shaping that future.”

She emphasised that the conference is built to be welcoming, safe, and inclusive:

“This year, we’ve made extra effort to make Drupaljam a space where everyone can feel welcome and safe. We have an active Code of Conduct team, we offered free diversity tickets, and there are a lot of sessions focused on community: from tackling Imposter syndrome, with Marine Gandy, to the NEDA meeting about a potential global Drupal Federation, to ‘Finding Success in Contributions."

Drupal in a Day: Building Knowledge, Globally

One of the standout initiatives of the day is the Drupal in a Day workshop—a program aimed not only at onboarding new developers, but also at scaling Drupal education far beyond Utrecht.

Jean-Paul explained:

“‘Drupal in a Day’ is much more than an introductory workshop — it’s part of our broader vision under the Drupal Open University initiative. Our goal is not only to teach people how to build a Drupal site in one day, but also to open-source all teaching materials, enabling anyone to reuse, adapt, and teach Drupal at universities, schools, or camps worldwide.”

This year’s workshop will be led by Hilmar Hallbjörnsson, using those same open materials. It will be taught in a cloud-based environment, removing all setup friction for attendees.

“These materials will be openly shared after the event, so other DrupalCamps, meetups, and training programs can reuse, iterate, and improve upon them — helping grow Drupal knowledge globally.”

He added that this workshop is not just for beginners:

“While designed for newcomers, the workshop is equally valuable for experienced developers interested in teaching Drupal, mentoring others, or contributing to education-focused initiatives in the community.”

Evening: Food, Games, and Deep Connections

After a day of learning, Drupaljam transitions to community-building, with good food, laughter, and some light chaos.

“After a day of deep learning, the evening offers a relaxed atmosphere for networking and fun. We have a BBQ with options for meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans, followed by informal drinks and mingling. The PubQuiz is the cherry on top — always hilarious, competitive, and community-driven. It’s the perfect blend of fun and connection, presented by our own Bert Boerland.” — Jean-Paul Vosmeer

Esmeralda noted that the BBQ, sponsored by Stichting Drupal Nederland, is one of the highlights of the event. She described it as informal and enjoyable, with good food and a relaxed atmosphere — the perfect opportunity to continue conversations, whether they began in a session, at a sponsor stand, or in passing through the hallway.

“And speaking of sponsor stands — if you visit them all and collect your stamps, you might just win a ticket to DrupalCon Vienna or Drupal Dev Days Athens 2026. I love this initiative: it adds a bit of fun to networking and gives you a real reason to explore the sponsor area fully.”

Esmeralda also pointed to the pub quiz hosted by Bert Boerland as a signature moment of the evening. She described it as chaotic, legendary, and full of community spirit — the perfect way to end the day. For her, it’s the evening atmosphere that truly sets Drupaljam apart. It’s not only about what attendees learn, but about how they come together — and that sense of connection, more than anything, is what keeps her coming back year after year.

Volunteers and Sponsors: Making It All Work

Jean-Paul emphasised the essential role that volunteers play in making Drupaljam a success, not just in the lead-up to the event, but throughout the day itself. He explained that at the core of Drupaljam is a committed organising committee made up of long-time Drupal community members who dedicate months of volunteer work to bring the event to life. With the professional support of De Fabrique as the venue, the team is able to focus its energy on the small but important details that truly elevate the experience.

“On the event day itself, we’re always inspired by the spontaneous support we receive from attendees. People naturally step in to help with tasks like assisting speakers with equipment, keeping sessions on time, or welcoming newcomers. It’s a great example of the open-source mindset in action — everyone contributes where they can.”

“We receive a lot of appreciation from both visitors and sponsors, which fuels our passion. That shared love for the community and the event itself is what keeps us going year after year.”

Sponsors: Creative, Collaborative, and Integral

Jean-Paul emphasised that sponsors do more than just show up — they co-create the atmosphere:

“One of the unique aspects of Drupaljam is the strong bond between our organising team and the sponsoring agencies. We are a close-knit community, and by the end of each event, we often already have commitments from most sponsors for the next year—a testament to the shared passion and mutual trust we’ve built over time.”

Jean-Paul highlighted that sponsors at Drupaljam are far more than booth occupants — they are active contributors to the event’s character and creativity. Rather than taking a passive role, sponsors bring engaging and often surprising ideas to life, from interactive games and small giveaways to clever sponsor shorts presented on the main stage. Their involvement plays a vibrant role in shaping the overall energy of the event.

He also described the atmosphere of Drupaljam as open, informal, and genuinely welcoming — a setting that, in his words, feels “like a warm bath,” where attendees, sponsors, and organisers all feel at home, valued, and inspired.

Sustainability: Long-Term Thinking

On the question of sustainability — both environmental and community-based — Jean-Paul said:

“At Drupaljam, we are committed to maintaining the highest possible standard of quality — not just in terms of venue and content, but also in the overall experience, including premium-level food and drinks. Every detail is carefully considered to create an event that feels valuable, inspiring, and enjoyable for all.”

Jean-Paul noted that while the team is mindful of choosing a venue that supports green initiatives and encourages the use of public transport, their broader focus remains on sustaining the spirit, value, and future of Drupaljam as a truly community-powered experience.

“One example of this is the introduction of Drupal in a Day, a strategic move to engage the next generation of Drupal developers and contributors.”

After Drupaljam: What’s Next?

The event may end at night, but the work continues year-round.

Jean-Paul explained that all session recordings from Drupaljam are made available on the event’s YouTube channel and promoted through social media, ensuring that even those who couldn’t attend in person can still access the knowledge and inspiration shared throughout the day.

“Beyond Drupaljam, Stichting Drupal Nederland plays an active role in supporting the Dutch and wider European Drupal ecosystem. We organize events for both agencies and the broader community — including the Splash Awards, where we celebrate the best Drupal projects in the region.”

Jean-Paul shared that earlier in the year, the team hosted the official launch event for Drupal CMS in the Netherlands, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to both promoting and evolving the platform within the local and broader European community.

“In addition, we maintain and openly share our Drupaljam website codebase, making it freely available for others to reuse and build upon. In every way we can, we work to sustain and grow the Drupal spirit — before, during, and long after Drupaljam.”

This year’s Drupaljam doesn’t just look forward — it looks around. It addresses growth, equity, AI, education, ethics, sustainability, and community resilience — and does it all through open hands and shared work.

Thank you to Esmeralda Tijhof and Jean-Paul Vosmeer for generously sharing their insights and perspective as organisers.