How María sparked a movement in Cyprus: from speaker to leader of one of the most authentic Fuckup Nights communities.
Have you ever felt that immediate pull to be part of something real? That gut feeling that lingers and whispers, “this is for me”. That’s exactly how this story began.
There, surrounded by raw, vulnerable stories, a powerful thought took root: “I just wanted to become part of such an authentic movement.” The connection was so strong that, just one day after returning to Cyprus, the request to join the global Fuckup Nights movement was already sent.
So, who’s behind this journey? Maria Sibirtseva— Fuckupper and licensee in Limassol and Nicosia, Cyprus. Her journey began just a few years ago, and since then, she hasn’t stopped building a thriving community.
It all started with that first invitation to speak in Almaty. The concept, the vibe, the mission—everything clicked. It was more than inspiration; it was alignment. The motivation was simple yet powerful: be part of something authentic.
In Limassol, the need was evident. A multicultural city with expats, locals, and professionals from all walks of life—coexisting, but not really connecting. Fuckup Nights became the perfect bridge: vulnerable stories, real conversations, and a safe space to admit what we usually hide.
From the start, the goal was clear: strengthen the social and professional fabric through brave conversations.
“In-person events require patience, adaptability, and quick problem-solving.”
Organizing physical events isn’t all lights and microphones. The challenges come fast—and uninvited:
This journey has been about learning by doing. Every event brings lessons in improvisation, reflection, and adaptability. Somewhere along the way, a kind of magic formula emerged:
“Nobody else knows how it ‘should’ve looked’ in your head. Do your best, stay authentic, and trust that great results will follow.”
The lesson that blew our minds 🤯:
“No one else knows what the perfect version looked like in your head.”
A Fuckup Nights only really needs: great speakers, a meeting space, and friends.
As for support from HQ? Templates, resources, workshops, and regular check-ins made the path feel lighter—and less lonely.
In Limassol, Fuckup Nights has done something powerful: it’s brought different realities together. Locals and expats who rarely interact now sit side by side—sharing stories, cultural references, lessons… and beers.
Post-event feedback has been deeply moving:
Writing this gives me goosebumps!
Maria kicked things off with just 130 attendees at the first edition.
Six volumes later, more than 800 people have been directly impacted.
That organic growth—community by community, conversation by conversation—led to the next big step: expanding to Nicosia.
Leading this movement has transformed Maria too.
She’s built a vibrant community, forged deep connections, and found collaborators, allies, and lifelong friends. Her local presence and professional network have grown exponentially. Fuckup Nights became a platform that opened doors she never imagined.
Here’s to what’s next: Nicosia is already revving up. The mission remains the same: continue breaking the idea that failure is shameful.
If you’re considering getting a license:
“Go for it—even if you have zero experience organizing events. That was my case! Believe in yourself and just do it. You’ve got this.”
This community has your back. And when in doubt… you can always ask ChatGPT.
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Let's transform our perception of failure and use it as a catalyst for growth.
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