Newsletter July 2026
Celebrating 25 years of the Dutch Wikipedia: free knowledge is still powered by people!
On the occasion of the anniversary, chair Geert Van Pamel and board member Nyo Dekens were guests on De Wereld van Sofie on Radio 1. In the conversation, they look back on the origins of the Dutch-language Wikipedia and the remarkable growth of the community behind the encyclopedia. Behind the millions of articles are thousands of volunteers who gather, verify, and improve knowledge every day.
At the same time, Wikipedia faces new challenges. The volunteer community remains predominantly male, which means that some topics receive less attention than others. In addition, vandalism, political influence, and the rise of generative AI require ongoing vigilance. AI systems are increasingly using Wikipedia as a source for their answers, while users are less often arriving directly on Wikipedia via search engines.
Will Wikipedia still exist in the coming decades? According to Geert Van Pamel, it certainly will, although attracting new volunteers and keeping the encyclopedia up to date remains essential. Because if Wikipedia is no longer maintained, where will AI systems get their reliable information from?
One conclusion is clear: free and reliable knowledge is more important than ever, and Wikipedia continues to play a crucial role in that.
Would you like to listen to the full interview? You can do so via VRT MAX
Celebrating 25 years of the Dutch Wikipedia
Despite the summer temperatures, around 70 participants took part in the varied programme. Visitors were invited to leave a message for a time capsule, which will be preserved for 25 years and reopened in 2051. In addition, an interactive bingo game encouraged participants to get to know one another by finding Wikipedians with a wide range of interests. This led to many engaging conversations and new connections.
It was a successful celebration of 25 years of the Dutch-language Wikipedia and the volunteers who have been contributing to it for many years.
Want to get a feel for the atmosphere as well? Take a look at the photos.
Wikimedia Belgium takes part again in the De Standaard Solidarity Prize
How do you capture the importance of free knowledge in a single image or slogan? That is exactly the challenge of the 24th edition of the De Standaard Solidarity Prize. The competition brings together non-profit organisations and creative professionals to highlight social issues in an original and compelling way.
Wikimedia Belgium is once again taking part. Free knowledge, reliable information, and open collaboration are more relevant than ever today. Through our participation, we want to further highlight the importance of a world in which everyone has free access to knowledge.
The organisation is calling on copywriters, photographers, art directors, illustrators, artists, and other creative minds to design an advertisement that amplifies a social message. Submissions could be entered until 3 July 2026.
👉 Curious to see how it turns out? Stay tuned to our newsletter.
Groot Onderhoud 2026: a day full of insights, encounters, and fragile knowledge
This year, the central theme was fragile knowledge. How can we strengthen knowledge about and within cultural heritage? What happens when knowledge comes under pressure from crises, technological developments, or societal change? Starting from these questions, participants explored a rich and varied programme featuring two inspiring keynotes and fifteen parallel sessions.
The day offered a mix of depth and wonder. We listened to the sounds of the serpent, played by Berlinde Deman, were challenged by insights from heritage specialist Elke Selter and cultural philosopher Simon Truwant, and discovered numerous practical examples from the sector. From the impact of AI on research to multi-vocal classification systems, from embodied knowledge to the art of orderly forgetting: Groot Onderhoud provided plenty of food for thought and conversation.
But above all, it was a day of encounters. A chance to meet new colleagues, exchange ideas, ask questions, share doubts, and reflect together on the future of cultural heritage.
Couldn’t make it or want to relive a session? On the report page you can find the plenary report, presentations, photos, and soon also the session reports.
And what about Groot Onderhoud 2027? More information will follow later. Stay tuned to our newsletter and other communication channels!
WikiProject Days 2026: building better Wikidata together
One of the key insights from the event was that a WikiProject is much more than just Wikidata. A successful WikiProject connects different Wikimedia platforms and tools, such as Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, OpenRefine, QuickStatements, Pywikibot, Listeria, Toolforge, Meta, and Phabricator. Together, they form an ecosystem in which data is collected, enriched, and reused.
In addition, the importance of a well-considered data model was emphasised. New volunteers are best introduced to how Wikidata items are structured using entities, properties, and values. By agreeing in advance on which properties, relationships, and quality criteria are used, a consistent dataset is created that remains usable in the long term.
A successful WikiProject is not only about technology. Good project management, a clearly defined scope, reliable source referencing, and a well-curated collection or archive form the foundation. On top of that, motivated volunteers, the right technical expertise, and suitable tools are essential to build a project in a sustainable way.
👉 Interested in Wikidata or thinking of starting your own WikiProject? The recordings of the WikiProject Days remain available and provide an excellent introduction for both new and experienced contributors.
📸 Grab your camera: two photo competitions launch on 1 July
Wiki ♥ Denderland
The photo contest Wiki Loves Denderland is now entering its third edition. The Erfgoed Cell Denderland invites everyone to capture and share the region’s heritage, culture, and traditions via Wikimedia Commons.
Grab your camera, charge your smartphone, and head out into the Dender region. Capture unique places, customs, and stories: from historic buildings and landscapes to processions, crafts, regional dishes, traditional sports, and other traditions.
📅 You can participate from 1 July to 30 September 2026.
The ten best photos will be exhibited in 2027 and awarded a prize. In addition, all submissions will automatically take part in the national competition Wiki Loves Heritage Belgium 2026.
🏛️ Wiki Loves Heritage Belgium 2026
Also at the national level, heritage is brought into focus through Wiki Loves Heritage Belgium 2026. This annual photo contest, organised by Wikimedia Belgium, will also run from 1 July to 30 September 2026.
Everyone can participate by uploading photos of Belgian heritage. This can include:
- 🏛️ Immovable heritage: monuments, archaeological sites, landscapes, village and cityscapes.
- 🖼️ Movable heritage: artworks, collections, historical objects, archival documents, vehicles.
- 🎭 Intangible heritage: traditions, stories, rituals, crafts, processions, and customs?.
- ⚓ Maritime heritage: ships and other floating heritage assets.
With your photos, you not only help preserve heritage, but also make it visible to everyone through Wikipedia and Wikidata.
Join in!
Go out and explore your own surroundings, dive into your old photo collection, or head out with your camera. Upload your best images and stand a chance to gain lasting recognition and win great prizes.
More information on how to participate, upload images, and the competition rules can be found on the contest pages for Wiki ♥ Denderlandand Wiki Loves Heritage Belgium 2026.
Agenda
Wikimania 2026: Freedom, Equity, Reliability
The theme of this edition is Freedom, Equity, Reliability (Liberté, Équité, Fiabilité). Wikimedia communities from around the world will come together to discuss how to protect free access to knowledge, strengthen inclusivity, and continue providing reliable information.
At a time when free knowledge, open participation, and reliable information are increasingly under pressure, Wikimania 2026 is an opportunity to share experiences, strengthen collaborations, and help shape the future of the Wikimedia movement.
Mark the dates: 21–25 July 2026, Paris (and online).
More information and registration are available here.
Wikipedia Writing Contest 2026: help improve Wikipedia articles
Participants can register from 1 August. From 1 September to 1 November, writers have time to create or further expand an article. Only contributions made within this period will be included in the evaluation.
The best three submissions will traditionally receive a prize from Wikimedia Nederland. The winners will be announced during the New Year gathering.
The writing contest has been running since 2004 and was, at the time, the first Wikipedia writing competition in the world. Since then, the initiative has been adopted by other Wikipedia communities.
Want to contribute, join the jury, or learn more about the contest? Then keep an eye on the contest page and get involved!
Write women out of the margins! Join the Wikipedia writing afternoon in Antwerp
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During this writing afternoon, you will dive into the rich history of women writers and poets from the past. For this purpose, the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library provides a selection from its extensive collection as source material. Experienced Wikipedians from Wikimedia Belgium and Wikimedia Nederland will guide participants step by step, making the event accessible to both beginners and experienced contributors.
In addition to inspiring sources and expert guidance, we will also provide snacks. All you need to bring is your laptop and enthusiasm to help increase the visibility of women in literary history.
Participation is free, but registration is required and places are limited. Please register by 1 September 2026 via the registration form. More information can be found on the project page.
Contact us
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