In May of the previous year, Vitalik Buterin, one of the co-founders of Ethereum, played a pivotal role in orchestrating an exclusive, two-month-long gathering known as “Zuzalu” in the picturesque setting of Montenegro.
Approximately 200 carefully chosen participants convened to engage in discussions spanning topics such as cryptography and longevity. Amidst these thought-provoking dialogues, attendees savored sumptuous dinners and relished swims along the mesmerizing coastline of the Adriatic Sea. While the specifics of the event were shrouded in secrecy, this clandestine retreat has since served as the catalyst for a new endeavor – the establishment of “Zu-villages,” a project funded by Ethereum grants.
Ethereum Funds New ‘Zu-Villages’ Inspired by Invite-Only Gathering
A recent announcement on the blockchain crowdfunding platform Gitcoin has unveiled quarterly matching pools amounting to 250 ETH, which equates to approximately $590,000 at current market prices. This revelation has triggered speculations suggesting the potential revival of Zuzalu for the upcoming year.
The primary objectives behind these funding pools are to propel the advancement of “pop-up city” events and lend support to technology-driven projects. Beneficiaries of these resources have access to two distinct pools, one encompassing 166.5 ETH for events and the other allocating 83.5 ETH for technology initiatives.
To be eligible for the matched funds, it is required that at least one team member had received an invitation to Zuzalu during the previous year and had actively participated for a minimum duration of one week. Regrettably, the blog post does not provide any concrete information regarding the occurrence of Zuzalu in the forthcoming year, nor does it disclose details pertaining to timing or location.
Vitalik Buterin’s involvement in the ETH grants remains somewhat enigmatic. While initial reports suggested his significant contribution, a later statement from a representative contradicted this, asserting that there is no official record of Buterin committing funds. The extent of his actual involvement remains uncertain at this juncture.
Zuzalu Retreat Shrouded in Mystery
The Zuzalu retreat has an air of mystery surrounding it. There was no official announcement beforehand, and information about it only surfaced gradually through social media posts after the fact. Some describe it as an elevated camp where discussions on esoteric subjects take place, while others liken it to an exclusive enclave within Silicon Valley.
However, it appears to have left a lasting impact on Buterin and other innovators who aspire to recreate a similar temporary community under the Zu-village umbrella. The condition of having at least one core member who attended Zuzalu 2023 suggests that exclusivity remains a key aspect of these new pop-up ventures as well.
