A Touch of Latvian Magic and Hackathon Spirit – System Architect Ruuska’s Seventh WunderCon Journey
WunderCon 2024 once again brought together over 60 Wunder team members from Finland, Latvia, and Estonia to the beautiful village of Berkava in Latvia. Systems architect and long-time Wunder employee Ari Ruuska shares his own experiences from the event, which this year was themed "Live, Laugh, Learn".
Ari Ruuska is not only a WunderCon veteran and system architect but also the head of Wunder’s psychological safety group. Over the years, Ari has attended numerous WunderCon events and closely observed how this annual staff gathering has grown and evolved. Now, after his seventh WunderCon, Ari shares his thoughts and experiences on the 2024 event held in guest house Līcīši, in Berkava, Latvia.
Live, Laugh, Learn - and we surely did!
WunderCon 2024, held in the beautiful Berkava, Latvia, stands out as one of the most successful events I have attended. The venue was a serene and stunning resort situated at the confluence of two rivers, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. It provided the perfect setting for a group of over 60 participants, including Wunderers from Finland, Latvia, and Estonia.
First and foremost, it must be noted that the entire event was impeccably organized, with everything produced entirely by Wunder’s Talent team. This year’s theme, "Live, Laugh, Learn," was reflected in every aspect of the event; it celebrated humanity and personal connections, featured plenty of laughter, and provided everyone with fresh insights and learning opportunities—from leveraging AI in database integration to the basics of calligraphy. The program flowed smoothly without unnecessary delays, exhausting workshops, or stiff speeches. Special attention was given to sustainability and responsibility in all arrangements. The food was served buffet-style, with a strong focus on plant-based options utilizing seasonal local produce. Special dietary needs were accommodated, and meat was available for those who desired it.
The more official and directly business-related part this year was the hackathon. Our CTO, Janne Koponen, had divided us into groups based on everyone’s expertise to ensure all groups would have diverse skill sets - and that people who rarely work with each other on a daily basis get to work together and learn to know each other better. The topic for the hackathon was creating concepts utilizing AI that our clientele would benefit from. We only had a few hours to work in groups and the outcomes were presented to everyone before the dinner. I knew that my colleagues were highly skilled professionals, but seeing functioning proof of concepts just after a few hours of collaborating in groups, even I was positively surprised. So, the learning part of the theme was highly present. And not only learning, but a little bit of laughing as well, as one of the groups offered a solution that would enhance the intranet’s user experience. Intranets are often seen as the black hole of information, so offering a solution to ease the pain of an eternal internal communication challenge was both spot on and hilarious.
Sustainability, one of Wunder's strategic pillars, was prominently reflected in every detail of the event. For instance, all decorations were either recycled or reusable, showcasing the event’s commitment to sustainability. Additionally, Latvian Wunderers contributed fruits and vegetables from their own gardens. This gesture highlighted a sense of community and appreciation for natural produce—something that Finnish and Estonian participants especially valued, as homegrown produce is always the most flavorful. These colleague-grown treats provided perfect snacks alongside the other snack options available throughout the event.
Genuine interactions in the middle of nature
The most important part of the event, however, was meeting people face-to-face. This is rare nowadays and therefore especially valuable. It was wonderful to experience the shared enthusiasm in person, which came across and was infectious in a way that remote workshops can't quite match. The conversations we had during the trip, with seatmates or on-site, were incredibly enjoyable. Face-to-face conversations are in a league of their own—they are calmer and more relaxed compared to the rushed and often agenda-driven video calls. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed these free-flowing discussions. We need more of this!
This was my seventh time at WunderCon, and once again, the event exceeded my expectations. If I had to highlight the top three activities, they would be the Hackathon, the evening party with a live band, and the relaxed downtime that allowed for a complete escape from everyday hustle. The venue was also close to nature and offered peace away from the world’s clamor, making the experience even more special.
When I think about how to describe WunderCon with one adjective, the word "invigorating" comes to mind. The event was truly a rejuvenating and stimulating experience that brought new energy to daily life and strengthened our sense of community.
