Wikimedia+Libraries International Convention 2025/Programme/libraries-pillars-truth-ukraine
Libraries as Pillars of Truth: Wikimedia Ukraine’s Role in Combating Disinformation and Preserving Culture During the Russo-Ukrainian War- Viacheslav Mamon
Time: 15:15-15:30
Room: Alfonso Reyes Auditorium
Abstract:
The presentation will focus on the collaboration between Wikimedia Ukraine and libraries during the Russo-Ukrainian war, including the period of the full-scale invasion. The session will begin with a brief historical overview of the partnership between Wikimedia Ukraine and libraries, tracing its development over time.
Next, we will highlight successful projects involving libraries, such as training sessions and campaigns for librarians, where they were taught how to write articles and upload photographs to Wikipedia. One of the largest initiatives was the "WikiKharkivshchyna" campaign, dedicated to the Kharkiv region. Despite the full-scale invasion, libraries in eastern Ukraine, especially in Kharkiv, have continued to serve as educational centers for Wikipedia editing. Today, these training sessions take place in bomb shelters, sometimes during missile strikes.
We will also discuss the participation of libraries in campaigns dedicated to writing Wikipedia articles in the Crimean Tatar language, which is under threat of extinction due to the ongoing war. This aspect is critical in preserving the cultural heritage of the Crimean Tatar people.
Additionally, we will cover how, during the war, libraries have become an important tool in combating centuries-old Russian disinformation, which is a legacy of Ukraine's colonial past. By using authoritative sources, Ukrainian librarians are correcting old Wikipedia articles with inaccuracies and creating new ones to ensure the truth is represented.
Attendees will gain insights into the resilience of Ukrainian libraries during wartime, their role in preserving and promoting endangered languages, and the impact of their collaboration with Wikimedia Ukraine in both fighting disinformation and fostering accurate historical representation. Potential outcomes include greater global awareness of these initiatives and inspiration for similar partnerships in other regions.