This week I had the privilege of attending FOSS4G 2026. It was my third FOSS4G event (the prior two being FOSS4G Asia 2023, and FOSS4G Korea 2026), but it hit different.

I've been to Japan many times, but never here. The surrounding mountains were breathtaking, and the bus between the airport and the city center was quite scenic.

The central bus terminal is inside a shopping mall just a few minutes walk from one of the preserved reminders of humanity's terrible past. The gravity hit as I approached the bombed out remains of the 原爆ドーム (Genbaku dome), the only structure left standing near the hypocenter of the first atomic bomb directed against humanity on August 6, 1945. While I thought I was prepared, the scene affected me.

I have intentionally not included a photo, because it does not do it justice. You need to see and feel it for yourself.

The city around was vibrant. Previously, 大阪 (Osaka) was my favorite, but 広島 (Hiroshima) might have taken its place. There is excellent food, charm, and nature, despite the horrific past.

The conference was full with fellow nerds interested in the same sorts of things, We shared many late night conversations about what we were working on, and discussed ideas to collaborate on in the future. But the highlight for me was the middle keynote session on the second day.

I didn't have any idea what was coming in this session from the description online, but I opted to listen without a live translation receiver (the session was almost entirely in Japanese). I incorrectly assumed it was a somewhat technical talk, which I was confident enough in my ability to understand. But it was not a technical talk. And still I understood completely.

As my good friend Ed put it, Chihiro Araki¹ is the best storyteller I've ever heard. She related the stories of an atomic bomb survivor. Even without photos or paintings, the words were powerful.

I don't know how she made it to the end without tears streaming down her face, but the emotion was present with every word. I could hardly contain myself. You can get a small taste of it at the Hiroshima Archive.

While the country of my birth was responsible for the death and severe injury of more than 150,000 people over a few days in 1945, they chose to welcome me, and the broader FOSS4G community this week. And for that I am thankful. The spirit of collaboration was present everywhere, among attendees from all over the world. Many sessions focused on the positive impact of our software on the world: preserving the past, promoting inclusion, aiding disaster response, and making cities better places to live.

広島 is indeed a city of bridges. And I cannot thank the organizers enough for their selection. Especially those who came to FOSS4G Korea last year (even though most sessions were in Korean!). You chose the perfect conference location for this moment in the history of our world. The theme of bridging geospatial technology and humanity is more relevant than ever, as many world leaders are again turning toward childish aggression, never content with what they have already taken.

The importance of understanding one another has never been greater, or more urgent. And we aren't doing enough on the whole. But I was once again moved by the positivity and unity of the FOSS4G community. From Brazil to the Yukon to New Zealand to Korea, Thank you to everyone who attended.

I could write much more about the old friends I reunited with, the fellow collaborators I met in-person for the first time, and the technical talks. But none were as important as this.