Newsletter January 2025
Public Domain Day
Did you know that all creations no longer subject to exclusive intellectual property rights are part of the ‘public domain’? This applies to works whose copyrights have expired, usually 70 years after the death of the author in Belgium.
Every year the first of January, thousands of works are added to the public domain.
But what exactly does this mean? Although these works are technically free of copyright, this does not always mean that they are directly accessible. During the annual ‘’Public Domain Day‘’, KBR and its partners shed light on the possibilities as well as the limitations of the public domain.
On Thursday the 9th of January 2025, it was that time of the year again and meemoo, together with partners from home and abroad, organised the annual Public Domain Day. The programme was a mix of keynote speeches, practical examples, workshops and discussions on legal and policy updates around the public domain.
‘’‘Highlights of the programme:’‘’
- ‘’‘Keynote by Séverine Dusollier (Sciences Po Paris)’‘’ on the value and complexity of the public domain in a digital world.
- Launch of the revised Europeana Public Domain Charter
- ‘’‘Belgian showcases’‘’ with speakers including Piet Janssens (KBR), Bart Magnus (meemoo), Noël Slangen (Marc Sleen Foundation) and Geert Van Pamel, with a ceremony around the ‘’Wiki Loves Heritage Award‘’
- ‘’‘Workshops’‘’ such as updating the Public Domain Calculator and digital collection publishing with GLAM-E Lab.
The day ended with a networking moment during the reception.
Whether you are a professional, a policymaker, or just interested in heritage and open culture, Public Domain Day is an event that offers valuable insights and opportunities for everyone to learn and connect.
Wiki Loves Heritage - Ceremony
For the seventh time, the Wiki Loves Heritage competition was organised in 2024.
During Public Domain Day on 9 January, the 10 winners were honoured. All participants were also personally invited to this and were given their photos to take home after the ceremony.
Curious about what the judges had to say about the photos of these winners? You can read a brief summary of the top 3 here:
1. Wiki Loves Heritage
Woestijnkapel of Gooik
Leo Van Vreckem
The picture shows a serene chapel harmoniously embedded in a natural setting.
The contrast between the white chapel, the blue sky, and the green of nature is enhanced by the composition of clean lines and organic natural forms.
The tranquillity and simplicity of the landscape is accentuated by the harmonious colours and inviting centrepiece of the chapel, with a touch of dynamism provided by the subtle aerial activities.
2. Wiki Loves Monuments
Begijnhof of Bruges
Thaler Tamas
The photo captures the historic and serene atmosphere of the Begijnhof_Ten_Wijngaerde, enhanced by an autumnal colour palette and calm composition.
The rhythm of windows, tree trunks and poles adds to the harmony, while the wide framing and soft lighting make the architectural details less prominent.
The sculpture radiates silence, detachment and tranquillity, befitting its historical and religious context. A classic and atmospheric moment of the ‘Venice of the North,’ captured in the colourful silence of autumn.
3. Wiki Loves Heritage
Chateau de Namur
Giles Laurent
The picture of ‘’Château de Namur‘’ shows the castle clearly and balanced, well integrated into its surroundings with a historical context.
The drone shot highlights the massive nature of the building and provides a full perspective that emphasises its scale and accessibility.
Although the composition is classic, the interplay of lines adds dynamism. A successful shot that highlights both the architecture and accessibility of the location.
Photos of the present award winners and some of the judges
(From left to right - starting at the top: Inge Van der Stighelen - Leo Van Vreckem - Dominique Labar, Geert Van Pamel, Reb-Elza-Art, Kaho Mitsuki, Photography annvandenbergh)
Wiki Loves Heritage in the press
- Leo wint fotowedstrijd Wikimedia (Nieuwsblad)
- Roosdaalnaar Leo Van Vreckem wint fotowedstrijd Wiki Loves Heritage 2024 (Press info)
Join the Wiki-editathon: contribute to the dance story!
During the festival ‘’Body of Work‘’, dedicated to living dance heritage, STUK's Verbeeck Hall will transform into a buzzing newsroom on ‘’Wednesday 26 February 2025‘’. Together with meemoo and Wikimedia Belgium, we invite you to take an active role in adding dance history to Wikipedia.
We will dive into the world of dancers, dance companies and central concepts of dance history. Inspired by the latest issue of ‘’Etcetera‘’ on dance heritage and research projects of UGent and the University of Antwerp, we will work on creating new lemmas and enriching existing articles.
Why participate?
- Make dance knowhow more accessible to the next generation.
- Meet other dance lovers and writing enthusiasts.
- Work in an inspiring setting with professional guidance, engaging source material and a good dose of coffee.
Program
- ‘’‘10:00 - 11:00:’‘’ Introduction Wikipedia and how to write encyclopaedia-worthy articles, by experts Bart Magnus (meemoo) and Geert Van Pamel (Wikimedia Belgium).
- ‘’‘11:00 - 11:30:’‘’ Overview of topics and resources.
- ‘’‘11:30 - 12:30:’‘’ First steps: completing articles or making translations.
- ‘’‘12:30 - 13:30:’‘’ Lunch break
- ‘’‘13:30 - 16:00:’‘’ Editorial time: writing and creating together.
Make it a full dance day!
- ‘’‘17:00 - 19:00:’‘’ Launch of the new spring issue of ‘’Etcetera‘’ on dance heritage.
- ‘’‘20:30:’‘’ Enjoy ‘’Phase. Four Movements to the Music of Steve Reich‘’, Rosas' iconic performance at the Soetezaal. (Info and tickets here.)
Practical
Bring your own laptop, we will provide inspiration and a nice working environment. Will you join us? Together we will put dance on the map!
More info on the festival programme can be found at this website.
‘Women of the Future’ - International Women's Day 2025
On 8 March, we celebrate International Women's Day themed ‘Women of the Future.’
Did you know that less than a quarter of English-language articles on Wikipedia are about a woman? In Flanders, too, we still have some catching up to do. Therefore, on 10 and 11 March we crawl into our pens en masse! Writing sessions will be organised at various locations throughout the country to mark International Women's Day. Will you help us close the gender gap on Wikipedia?
Last year, a first series of writing sessions with Wikimedia Belgium, Guido Gezelle Archive, FARO and meemoo accounted for:
- 15 participating Flemish heritage organisations,
- 57 volunteers,
- 4 locations,
- 37 new Wikipedia pages
This year, we hope to write about even more women from the shadows of history: from beguines to artists to women in the resistance during WWII.
Feel like participating?
Anyone with lots of enthusiasm and a somewhat fluent pen is welcome. On the day itself, you will receive sufficient guidance to write your article together and publish it on Wikipedia. Please feel free to take Feel free to read through these tips & tricks in advance.
Practical
These writing sessions will go on as follows:
- Leuven - KADOC & Cemper (Mechelen) - Monday 10/03/2025
- Antwerp - Plantin Moretus - Monday 10/03/2025
- Bruges - Public Library - Monday 10/03/2025
- Ghent - meemoo & Industriemuseum - Monday 10/03/2025
- Etterbeek (VUB) - Heroes of the Resistance - Monday 10/03/2025
- Sint-Niklaas - Erfgoedcel Interwaas & Stadsarchief - Tuesday 11/03/2025
More information around these writing sessions can be found here.
King Baudouin Foundation tax certificates
Important news for our generous donors!
Legislation on tax certificates has changed! Have you made a donation to the ‘’‘Friends of Wikimedia Belgium Fund’‘’? Then it is important that the ‘’‘King Baudouin Foundation’‘’ has received your ‘’‘state registration number’' correctly.
💡 Are you in doubt? Then register one-time on the King Baudouin Foundation website to ensure your tax benefits.
🙏 Thank you to all the generous donors for your support of free knowledge!
Communications & Project Manager: Caren
Since mid-December, after a quiet 2024, we at Wikimedia have been able to make some leaps in our communications and marketing. From now on, we will be putting more effort into newsletters, social media and all kinds of other communications. Of course, the Wikimedia board cannot do this without a little help, which is where freelancer Caren comes peeking around the corner.
With a broad background in marketing, sales & project management, Caren supports Wikimedia Belgium 2 days a week.
Caren is 42 years young, mum of a daughter Billie(8) and two cats.
She absolutely loves cooking, good food, cosy evenings with friends, sports and dancing - the ultimate way to relax and have fun.
Caren is immensely looking forward to sharing her knowledge and expertise and making new connections!
Contact us
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