One of the most important basic engagement techniques we uncovered in the creation of the Festival has been the “Power of Invitation”

8 Days to go to the Biggest Free Agile Festival ever

So many people have given their time from all areas of the Agile World. So many people answered the invite!

It has been very humbling to see our vision  “To make a place where people could come together, meet each other and learn” come to life.

There is so much division in the world just now, and it is great to see the Agile Community setting their differences aside and focusing on what binds us, and not on what separates. I hope everyone feels safe to share your passion to the world. Let us embrace the Doctrine of the Via Media: Generous Orthodoxy, as Sanjiv Augustine discusses in the attached video. I hope we all choose the Via Media, the middle road, moderation in thoughts and actions for the Festival.

Whether you are young or old, new or  a guru, come listen and learn from each other. Let us be physically distanced but socially connected in equality and respect.

So a little story and my intention for the coming Festival: in Scotland, we have a series of  traditions of New year Celebrations, one of which is First Footing. This year, we could not do it because of the Lockdown restrictions in Scotland.  As a young boy, this was my favourite time of year. First footing works by going to your friends’ and family’s houses, one after the other, with a gift, thus welcoming in the new year in their home.  On the threshold of the new house, you shake hands and say to the host, “Happy New year in your own house!” You do this even though you may have been at parties with them for the previous 5 days. The Welcoming of friends to your space was always a respected tradition and honour. That moment of welcoming is taking up an invitation, and is a very human worldwide tradition. We all are hosts and we all are honoured by people responding to invitations.

I was part of a large Scottish family, where we all took turns, and everyone was a host, and there were many many welcomings. I remember one New Year when we were still hosting New Year parties on the 7th of January; that was 7 days of First Footing!

Let us take a tradition like that into this festival. Let’s treat each new hosting as special, and very welcoming. After all, our festival works like a round-the-world party with each event being a free invite to go to someone’s Agile home and hangout.

Why don’t we, as we start each event,  say “Happy Agile Manifesto Anniversary in your House!” to mark the honour and respect of the Hosting! Please be kind to each other, and come together.

Peace, Love and Pirates… Scott Seivwright

Be Kind to each other!