Newsletter May 2025
General Assembly - May 10th 2025
During this exciting day, we reflected on the past year, planned for the future and took some important decisions together on the direction of our organisation.
We had a packed agenda:
Activity report for the past year
We took extensive time to review our past work. Not only to celebrate what we achieved together, but also to learn and improve. This retrospective also immediately brought out new ideas and action points - a valuable moment of reflection and inspiration.
Financial report and approval of financial statements
A solid financial foundation is essential. The annual accounts were unanimously approved, reaffirming that our organisation stands on solid foundations.
Discharge of the board
The board was given discharge over the year 2024. Some board members saw their terms of office expire. Of course, they also had the opportunity to stand for re-election.
(Re)election of new board members
We welcomed once again:
Geert Van Pamel,re-elected as board member and chairman
Norbert Matheuwezen,as a board member
Discussion and approval of budget and plans for the upcoming year
We discussed the 2025 financial plan and even cautiously looked ahead to 2026 already. Transparency and forward thinking remain our focal points.
Award of effective membership
Bas van Pelt - welcome as an effective member!
Varia & questions from members
There was room for open dialogue and additional questions, followed by a convivial closing drink.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
Your enthusiasm and commitment really do make a difference. Together, we continue to build a strong and dynamic organisation.
Rectification - Unique heritage collection of Ghent University, now available via Wikimedia Commons.
Unfortunately, an error slipped into our previous newsletter due to a misinterpretation of the information received. Our sincere apologies for this.
Below, you will find the correct information::
Ghent University (Book Tower) has an exceptional heritage collection, both physical and digital, many of which are in the public domain and can be accessed via IIIF on their online catalogue Thanks to the efforts of volunteer, Mr.Nostalgic, tens of thousands of digital recordings of Belgian heritage have recently been added to Wikimedia Commons.
The collection ranges from medieval manuscripts to urban monuments, offering a rich palette of cultural-historical objects: coins, manuscripts, maps, prints, old photographs and architectural heritage from all over Belgium.
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These images provide a unique insight into Belgium's past, but also far beyond. They include shots of iconic monuments and urban heritage, carefully documented and otherwise often difficult to access for the general public.
Thanks to this large-scale upload, valuable digital heritage is not only safeguarded for future generations, but also made globally accessible to researchers, students and interested parties. Moreover, the images can be freely used on platforms such as Wikipedia and Wikidata.
Wikimedia would like to thank the university for making this collection available and Mr.Nostalgic for making it accessible via categories.
๐ถ Looking back on 8 May - Writing session for PhD students in arts and musicology
On 8 May, PhD students from all over Belgium gathered for an inspiring writing and meeting day around research in the arts and musicology. The meeting offered young researchers the chance to present their work and engage in conversation about methodological, historiographical and artistic questions.
The session was not only a productive networking opportunity, but also produced nice concrete results on Wikipedia:
| # participants | # new pages | total # of edits | # new references | # total contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 61 |
The day once again demonstrated the potential of collaboration between academic research and free knowledge sharing. Thanks to all participants and faculty present for their commitment and valuable contributions!
๐ 1 January = Public Domain Day! Join Wiki Loves Public Domain!
On 1 January, we celebrate Public Domain Day - the day when copyrights expire and creative works become freely available to all. A wealth of images, texts and music then enters the public domain, available for Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata and Wikipedia, among others.
New this year: Wiki Loves Public Domain (WLPD)
To highlight this moment, this year we are organising the very first edition of Wiki Loves Public Domain: a challenge to make the public domain more visible and available on Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons. And what exactly will WLPD look like? We will be happy to decide that together!
๐ Consider, for example, activities such as:
- Writing Wikipedia biographies about creators whose work will soon become public domain
- Uploading and adding work by creators who have just become public domain
Stronger together - international as well
For this project, we are collaborating with Wikimedia Netherlands, Wikimedia France and, of course, partners such as meemoo, Koninklijke Bibliotheek (Belgium and the Netherlands) and Open Nederland.
๐ค 'Do you want to help?"
We are looking for enthusiasts who want to help with:
- Developing the project page and work lists
- Promotion and communication
- Uploads to Wikimedia Commons
- Organising (online or live) activities
Interested? Let us know by sending an email to Michelle van Lanschot: vanlanschot@wikimedia.nl
Together we make the public domain visible - for everyone!
Wikimedia Hackathon 2025: Code, Connections and the Bosphorus
From 2 to 4 May, the annual Wikimedia Hackathon took place - this time in an exceptional location: on the banks of the Bosphorus, in the heart of Instanbul.
More than 100 developers, designers and technical contributors from around the world came together for a weekend of collaboration, creativity and coding. The hackathon is the place for people already active in the Wikimedia technical community to meet in person. The event began, as is tradition, with a โlightning roundโ in which participants were each given exactly 60 seconds to present their project ideas. Working groups then formed around a variety of topics, from improvements to the MediaWiki software to experimental tools for Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.
Besides the intensive programming, there were also workshops and technical presentations tailored to the interests of the participants. See the whole programme?
As usual, the weekend ended festively, this year with a musical evening cruise on the Bosphorus - an atmospheric finale to an inspiring and productive weekend.
General Assembly Wikimedia Europe 2025: Stronger together in Prague
The annual General Assembly of Wikimedia Europe took place in Prague on 25 and 26 April 2025. Wikimedia Czech Republic welcomed this year's representatives of the European chapters to their premises, located in a former industrial area just outside the city centre.
The meeting reviewed the 2024 activities. The participants - a broad delegation of elected members from the various Wikimedia organisations in Europe - took note of the annual reports, financial statements and results achieved. They also looked ahead to plans for 2025.
The atmosphere was constructive and collegial. Key topics on the agenda included:
- Network Communication: the internal communication within Wikimedia Europe.
- The impact of the European Digital Services Act on our movement, with a particular focus on dealing with systemic crises
- The role of Wikimedia in Northern Europe.
Another important moment was the expansion of the board: two new members were elected to join the board.
The General Assembly of Wikimedia Europe remains an essential moment to align, connect and collectively shape the future of the free knowledge network in Europe.
Agenda
ODIS Meeting Day - June 6th in Antwerp
On Friday 6th of June, the annual ODIS Encounter Day will take place in Antwerp, at partnerADVN | archive for national movements. Discover Flanders' largest historical database, get an update on the renewal process, attend workshops and enjoy a guided visit to ADVN and the beautiful Hotel Dumont.
๐ADVN, Antwerp
๐09h30 - 15h45
๐More info & registration
๐ La Nuit des Archives - June 6th at the Mundaneum
On Friday 6th of June, from 8pm to midnight, the Mundaneum will exceptionally open its doors for La Nuit des Archives: a mysterious, playful and unique evening dedicated to the Archivissima festival.
๐ฆ Discover hidden archives, take part in a family game and get an exclusive look behind the scenes. Meet colleagues from all over Wallonia, dive into European archives and visit the expo โCitรฉs des possiblesโ, about visions of the future and change.
๐ Mundaneum, Mons
๐๏ธ Free entrance
๐ More info
๐ June 11th - Writing sessions on artists in the Yper Museum collection
Together with the Yper Museum, we have started a series of Wikipedia writing sessions on artists from the Ypres region. With this project, we want to make the Westhoek's rich artistic heritage more visible on Wikipedia. On the project page you will find an overview of artists, existing contributions and topics still waiting to be added. Anyone with an interest in art, history or Wikipedia is welcome to contribute or improve - whether you are a seasoned Wikipedian or a local heritage enthusiast.
๐จ ๐๏ธFancy being part of it? Keep an eye on the project page for updates and new writing opportunities!
19 June - ๐ Wikipedia celebrates 24 years in Dutch!
On June 19th 2025, the Dutch-language Wikipedia will blow out a whopping 24 candles! What once started as a follow-up to the English-language online encyclopaedia grew into one of the largest Dutch-language knowledge sources on the Internet - created and maintained by thousands of volunteers.
๐ This anniversary is the time to reflect on the power of free knowledge - and to contribute to this unique project yourself. Did you know that you can easily add to an article, correct it or add pictures yourself via Wikimedia Commons?
๐ Celebrate by visiting the website on June 19th, or be inspired to contribute yourself to the encyclopaedia that is of and for everyone!
๐ธ Wiki Loves Denderland - Touring Heritage Expo
The exhibition features nine award-winning photos that show the diversity of Denderland's heritage: from colourful carnival processions to quiet chapels, from potters to windmills such as the Fauconnier mill to the Dender itself.
๐ This small photo expo is an invitation to rediscover your own municipality, (re)appreciate heritage and who knows... submit your own photos for a future edition.
After opening in Lede, the expo will also travel to Erpe-Mere Library this summer. In autumn, the expo will move to Ninove, Aalst, Haaltert and Denderleeuw, among others.
๐๏ธ Entry is free
๐
From 26 June to 31 August in Lede & Erpe-Mere
๐ More info
๐ ๏ธ Workshop 'Wikipedia & Wikimedia: how to get started?' - Saturday 28 June in Lede
Would you like to participate in Wiki Loves Denderland, but are not sure how to get started with Wikipedia or Wikimedia Commons? Then this workshop is for you!
On Saturday 28th of June, Erfgoedcel Denderland is organising a practical introduction to the Wiki-platforms at the Library of Lede. You will learn how to create an account, upload pictures to Wikimedia Commons, and how your images can help make our region's heritage visible on Wikipedia.
The workshop is low-threshold and designed for beginners - no prior knowledge is necessary. We will help you get started step by step, so that you can confidently participate in the heritage photo competition Wiki Loves Denderland 2024 from 1 July.
๐ Lede Library (https://lede.bibliotheek.be/)
๐
Saturday 28th of June 2024, from 10am to 12pm
๐๏ธ Free participation
๐ More info
Santรฉ on the heritage of Denderland!
๐ฏ Theme: breweries, distilleries & people's pubs
๐ Region: Denderland incl Aalst, Ninove, Erpe-Mere, Haaltert, Lede, Denderleeuw
๐ Beautiful prizes & chance at expo as well as national recognition!
More info through:Wiki Loves Denderland 2025
Contact us
Wikimedia Belgium NPO (WMBE)
Antwerpselaan 40 Boulevard d'Anvers
B-1000 Brussel/Bruxelles
+32 471 82 20 26 (voice/sms/Signal/Telegram/WhatsApp)
Enterprise 0563.775.480 โ RPR Brussel โ Not liable to VAT
www.wikimedia.be โข
info@wikimedia.be