Richard George, Telefónica UK (official Campus Party roving reporter)

The 23rd Campus Party kicked off with a bang last night as over 10,000 techies from 77 countries gathered for the world’s biggest tech fest, looking at some of the latest technologies and innovations and each keen to learn more from a plethora of topics on offer. Specialist themes include hardware, robotics, greentech, nanotechnology, hacking, social media, entrepreneurship (and the impressive list goes on…)

The opening ceremony saw a range of high profile guests in attendance, reflecting not only the importance accorded to the technology sector, but the involvement of young people in the same.

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Philipp Rösler (German Economy Minister) pointed out how fitting it was to host such an event in Berlin, and that the city is leading the German charge in this sector. Paco Ragageles (Campus Party’s Founder) spoke briefly about his excitement at opening what had turned out to be the largest gathering yet of the event.

Peter Rampling (Marketing Director Telefonica Germany) reflected on the importance that the Tempelhof airport (the venue for this year’s campus party) played in the Berlin airlift 64 years ago, and its crucial role in steering the future direction of technology and innovation. He also emphasised the importance of “connecting people”.

Culminating in an exciting countdown (with impressively cued natural displays of thunder and lightning), the ‘campuseros’ began coding, networking, and playing video games late into the night.

Safe to say Campus Party is now well and truly underway, so with my Darth Vader mask at the ready, keyboard dusted off and shirt pressed and ironed – let the roving begin!