Attendee Guide 2024
Welcome to the Heart of Clojure 2024 Attendee Wiki! If you’ve got your ticket—congratulations! Below you’ll find everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to Leuven, Belgium, where this year’s event will take place from September 18th to 19th, 2024. We’ve included travel tips, venue details, and practical advice. This is a living document, so feel free to check back (or add!) updates.
This blog article "When a Plan Comes Together" is a fabulous resource and describes a more detailed high level schedule that will help you prepare for the event!
- Getting There
- Venues and Directions
- Communication & Community
- Tickets
- Programme & Additional Info
- Practical Information & FAQs
- Things to See and Do
Heart of Clojure 2024 will be held in Leuven, a beautiful city just a short train ride from Brussels. Main conference activities will take place from Tuesday afternoon, September 17th, through Thursday, September 19th, but fringe activities will likely continue into the weekend. We recommend arriving early and staying a little longer to enjoy the area!
Getting to Leuven
If you’re coming from outside Belgium, the easiest way to reach Leuven is by train from Brussels. Whether you’re arriving from neighboring countries via Eurostar (London, Paris, etc.) or from Brussels Airport (BRU), the train is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Leuven.
- From Brussels Airport (BRU): There’s a direct train from the airport to Leuven, which departs regularly. No need to book tickets in advance—you can buy them at the airport and simply board the first available train. The ride is quick and efficient.
- From Brussels via Eurostar: If you’re arriving by Eurostar from London or other European cities, you’ll need to take a local train from Brussels Midi/Zuid station to Leuven. Be aware that there are two similarly named destinations: Leuven (Louvain) and Louvain-la-Neuve. You want Leuven/Louvain. It’s helpful to use the local train app, SNCB, which can provide up-to-date information on platform changes and departure times. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask the train conductor before boarding.
Tips:
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Platforms can change at the last minute in Brussels, so keep an eye on the signs and use the SNCB app for reliable updates.
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In Belgium, train destinations are typically displayed in both Flemish (Dutch) and French, so you may see Leuven or Louvain—both refer to the correct city.
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Louvain-la-Neuve is a different location, so double-check that you’re heading to the right one!
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Contrary to some neighbouring countries, Belgian trains don't have seat reservations. This also means if you miss a train you can simply hop onto the next one, tickets are valid for any train on the given route on that day (International trains like Thalys/Eurostar do have seat reservations and require a specific ticket.)
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A "weekend ticket" gets you a return trip to any destination at 50% discount. You can leave from Friday 7pm, and return until end of day Sunday.
The closest airport is Brussels Airport (BRU). Some budget airlines also fly into Charleroi Airport (CRL), but this is further from Leuven and involves additional bus and train transfers. If possible, fly into BRU for convenience. Charleroi has also seen some strikes in recent days, which may affect your flight.
Heart of Clojure 2024 will take place across two venues:
- Hal5: Community Space, here we will host workshops and the hallway track.
- Het Depot: A larger venue for keynote and talks
Both venues are conveniently close, with a short walk of about 8 minutes between them.
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Join the official Heart of Clojure 2024 Discord to stay updated and connect with fellow attendees. This is the best place to reach organizers quickly (just tag
@orga) and receive the latest news and updates.
- Follow us here at
@[email protected]!
As a scrappy grassroots conference, we depend on the support of volunteers. Join the Discord, fill out a quick Google form, and throw yourself on the schedule! These are a preview of the roles available:
- SUPERVOLUNTEER: I will be part of orga for one full day of the event (will rest on the other). (Ticket refunded)
- STEWARD: Help keep the space tidy, answer questions, move stuff around if necessary, and attend to the reception/volunteer desk.
- STAGE HAND: Help run the stage: assist hosts, wire up mics, set up laptops, run around with mics during Q&A, etc.
- BUILDUP & WIND-DOWN: Help with the venue setup before and/or after the event.
Links:
- Late Bird (€349) and streaming tickets (€45) are available on Ti.to.
The final schedule will be released soon. You can read session abstracts here on the website.
The Compass App will allow you to view the full schedule, sign up for activities, and even create your own events. To access the app:
- Visit the Compass App Website
- Browse the schedule, sign up for activities, or create your own events!
- A long "siesta break" will be held on both days, giving attendees the opportunity to relax, socialize, and participate in activities.
- PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CUTLERY IF YOU CAN! 🙏🏼
- Coffee, tea, and water will be available free of charge at Hal5 (limited hours).
- Fruit (and cake) provided as snacks!
- A buffet-style catered lunch from local restaurants will be served at Hal5 during the lunch break each day. To ensure everyone gets a chance to eat, hot trays will be refilled for the first hour of every lunch session.
- Recommended local eateries:
Here’s where you can safely store your belongings during the event:
- Leuven Station: Lockers are available at the Station Square, south side near the toilets.
- Here are directions!
- Het Depot: Temporary lockers will be available during the event.
- Hal5: No lockers are available, but you may store items at the volunteer desk at your own risk.
- EU residents can generally use their data plans with no additional charges. For others, consider buying a prepaid SIM card. Make sure to bring an ID or passport for registration. Consult the Prepaid SIM Card Wiki for details.
- While Belgium is fairly card-friendly, it’s a good idea to carry some cash for smaller shops and bars. Maestro is widely accepted, with Visa and MasterCard available in most places. American Express is less commonly accepted.
- We are a casual conference - no need to get dressed up! Prioritize comfort but don't forget that you are amongst friends and Heart of Clojure is a great place to express yourself! Jeans, sweatshirts, sneakers are all okay! **- Don't forget to check out the compass app to see what activities you may want to participate in that may require special clothing or accessories! **
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September 17, 2024, in Leuven, the weather is expected to be partly cloudy, with daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F) and dropping to 12°C (54°F) at night. There’s a low chance of rain.
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September 18, 2024, the weather will be similar, with highs of 20°C (68°F) and lows of 11°C (52°F). It will be a cool and pleasant day.
Don’t forget to bring a light jacket for the cooler evenings!
- Maybe it's not necessary to lug your machine all the way to Het Depot- but definitely bring it if/when you plan on participating in any Hal5 workshops.
- There is very limited opportunity to have access to outlets- so make sure to charge your devices before coming!
Belgium is famous for its beer culture, so make sure to sample some local brews. However, please drink responsibly, as many Belgian beers are stronger than what you might be used to. We recommend savoring these at a slower pace—moderation is key!
Heart of Clojure is a professional event, so please be mindful of others, and remember that all events are covered by our Code of Conduct.
While in Belgium, consider visiting nearby cities like:
- Brussels: The capital of Belgium with stunning architecture.
- Ghent: A vibrant university town with beautiful medieval buildings.
- Bruges: Often referred to as the "Venice of the North" for its picturesque canals.
- Antwerp: Belgium’s second-largest city and home to a vibrant arts scene.
- The Ardennes: A great spot for hiking and outdoor adventures.
We look forward to welcoming you to Heart of Clojure 2024 in Leuven! If you have any questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out through Discord. Safe travels and see you soon!