Newsletter May 2026

This page is a translated version of the page Newsletter/2026-05 and the translation is 100% complete.

Wikimedia Hackathon in Milan focuses on technology, collaboration, and AI

From May 1 to 3, the annual Wikimedia Hackathon took place in Milan, an international event where the technical community behind Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects comes together. Developers, volunteers, and technical contributors from around the world collaborated on further improving the software and infrastructure supporting Wikimedia projects, with particular attention to the MediaWiki platform.

This edition was primarily aimed at experienced technical contributors who could work independently or in teams on concrete projects and new ideas. Among the international participants was our newest board member, Nyo Dekens. Nyo, who in addition to his role on the board and experience as a Wikipedia moderator has a strong IT background, traveled to Milan to actively take part in the hacking activities.

During the hackathon, Hay Kranen also gave a well-attended workshop on the role of artificial intelligence within the Wikimedia movement. Discussions with participants focused on themes such as digital sovereignty, transparency, the impact of AI on collaboration and knowledge creation, and how Wikimedia can preserve its core values of reliability and openness in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Hay Kranen also wrote a blog post about it

The next edition of the Wikimedia Hackathon will take place in 2027 in Albania. Be sure to keep an eye on the project page for all information.

WWikimedians celebrate anniversaries during a pleasant WikiMeet in Maastricht

On Saturday 23 May, Romaine and KvaraWolves organised a pleasant WikiMeet in Maastricht. The occasion for this gathering were two upcoming milestones: 25 years of Wikipedia in 2026 and the 50th anniversary of Maastricht University.

In the afternoon, participants gathered at the Markt for a shared lunch at café Minckelers. Afterwards, the group split into two activities: a city walk through Maastricht and an exclusive guided tour of the archive depot of Maastricht University Library. Midway through the afternoon, the groups switched activities so that everyone could experience both the city and the university library’s special collection.

The day ended with a drink in the city centre. Many thanks to Romaine, KvaraWolves, and all attendees for this pleasant, and warm, day!

Annual Report 2025

We are pleased to present our annual report for the past year. In this report, we look back on the key activities, collaborations, and achievements within Wikimedia Belgium.

Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, partners, and supporters, we were once again able to make meaningful progress in supporting and strengthening free knowledge. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this effort.

You can read the full annual report here.

Agenda

🍻 Beer brewing and drinking in early societies

Belgians have been drinking beer for centuries. In the Middle Ages, people even consumed up to two liters per day. However, beer looked very different from what it does today: lager did not yet exist, breweries were small-scale, and beer was usually produced locally for personal use or for the village or town.

You can discover how beer brewing and drinking have evolved over the centuries during an engaging lecture on Thursday 4 June by Erfgoedcel Denderland.

Professor Dr. Erik Aerts, eeconomic historian, takes the audience through the evolution of beer production and consumption in the Southern Netherlands, from the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century. The lecture covers topics such as the brewing process, ingredients used, the rise of hopped beer, and the remarkably high levels of beer consumption in earlier times. Special attention is also given to the beer industry in the Duchy of Brabant and the role of Denderland as a centre of hop cultivation.

Afterwards, visitors can explore the travelling exhibition Santé, beer culture in Denderland.

📍 Practical Information

📅 Thursday 4 June
🕗 20:00
📍 Council Chamber, Erpe-Mere Library, Oudenaardsesteenweg 458, 9420 Erpe-Mere
✉️ Register via email

📸 Wiki Loves Heritage 2026

Wiki Loves Heritage is an annual photo competition and an extension of the global Wiki Loves Monuments. The contest encourages participants not only to document monuments, but also to capture and share movable and intangible heritage, landscapes, folklore, crafts, and museum collections.

The project was first organised in 2018 by Wikimedia Belgium, with the aim of better documenting and showcasing Belgian heritage, culture, and traditions. The focus is on uploading photos to Wikimedia Commons, supplemented with metadata, and on enriching information on Wikidata and Wikipedia.

📸 Wiki loves Denderland 2026

In 2026, Erfgoedcel Denderland is also organising the photo contest Wiki Loves Denderland, as part of Wiki Loves Heritage.

This summer, go out and explore the region and capture heritage, culture, and traditions: from processions and traditional sports to crafts, regional dishes, and other local customs. Participation is easy—simply upload your photos to Wikimedia Commons.

The submission period runs from 1 July to 30 September 2026. The 10 best photos will be exhibited and awarded prizes in 2027. In addition, all entries will automatically take part in the national Wiki Loves Heritage Belgium competition.

📷 So: charge your camera or smartphone, dive into your archives or head out into the field, and stand a chance to achieve lasting fame as a heritage photographer!

🎉 Celebrating 25 years of Wikipedia!

The Dutch Wikipedia turns exactly 25 years old on 19 June, and we will celebrate this on Saturday 20 June at restaurant LE:EN in Utrecht.

We will start the afternoon with a shared lunch, followed by a surprise programme. One of the highlights is the Wikipedia Time Capsule 2026–2051, in which ideas, wishes, and messages are collected to be reopened only at the 50th anniversary celebration.

Will you be there to celebrate this special moment? Read all the details here!

WikiProjects Days 2026

From 19 to 21 June 2026, the online edition of WikiProjects Days will take place, an event entirely dedicated to WikiProjects on Wikidata.

WikiProjects play an important role in improving data quality and supporting new contributors within specific domains of Wikidata. During this event, editors can discover WikiProjects, contribute to them, and collaborate on improving content and tools.

The sessions take place online and are open to anyone interested in Wikidata. You can follow them live or watch them later. The full programme will be made available on the event page.

📅 When: 19–21 June 2026
🌐 Where: Online (sessions in English)

👉 Register

Participants are encouraged to register in advance via the event page (a Wikimedia account is required to log in). This way, you will receive updates and access to the sessions.

All information can be found here.

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