Wikimedia MKD/Reports/2024-12

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2024

December

Edit-a-thon:Mountains

The main goal of editing marathons is to enrich the content of Wikipedia in the Macedonian language, as well as to reduce content gaps in various areas. These activities inspire participants to continue their contribution to free knowledge, creating value that remains lasting for all users of the encyclopedia.

On the occasion of World Mountain Day, which is celebrated every year on December 11, Wikimedia MKD organized an editing marathon. The event included a workshop with a lecture, followed by an editing marathon on the topic of "Mountains". It was attended by members of the Wiki Club Skopje, consisting of students from the "Josip Broz - Tito" high school under the coordinator Irena Trajkovska Sterjovska. With their enthusiasm and hard work, seven students made a significant contribution to enriching the content of Wikipedia in Macedonian.

The first part of the event was reserved for mountaineer Igor Delov, who was invited to address the attendees and give his perspective on mountaineering and the significance of mountains. The importance of mountains and their protection was particularly emphasized by Delov, who then presented mountaineering, the benefits of sports and the benefits that can be obtained from this type of sport. Additionally, the participants were introduced to the equipment for this type of sport, as well as the appropriate safety and protection measures during mountaineering.

The lecture was followed by a joint editing session on the topic of “Mountains”. The participants, assisted by the organizers, edited, improved and published articles on Wikipedia in Macedonian. A total of 15 new articles were published.

You can see how it went through the photographic material uploaded on Commons, but also some of the photos are bellow:

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  Igor Delov giving a lecture
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  Igor Delov giving a lecture
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  The participants
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  Editing articles
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  Editing articles

WikiVillage Demir Hisar

The Wiki Village project was successfully implemented in 2024.

The project was launched in June 2024, with initial discussions with the people from the municipality of Demir Hisar, employees responsible for tourism, urbanism, as well as with the mayor of the municipality. The purpose of these meetings was to plan the installation of the signs and cooperate in collecting additional information.

According to the discussions with the authorities, as well as the on-site visit, it was agreed to install signs in the following places: one sign/ board in the new park that was being constructed this summer in Demir Hisar, which will mark all 11 cultural heritage sites of the municipality, one sign/ board in the middle of the village of Virovo, and individual signs/ board at the following religious sites: Slepče Monastery, Toplički Monastery, Žurčevski Monastery and the Church "St. Dimitrij" - Zhvan.

Also, during discussions with the authorities, it was agreed to receive texts for articles related to the municipality, including biographies of the previous mayors and some other important figures. For several objects that have been declared cultural heritage, and for which there are no articles, nor does the municipality have information, a request for more information was sent to the Cultural Heritage Administration, as well as to the Faculty of Theology for some churches that are considered local heritage.

The project turned out to be quite successful. As of 26 October 2024: 73 photos were uploaded to the Commons, 5 articles were improved, 7 new articles were created. Meanwhile, the signs are ready, and better weather conditions are awaited for their installation.

You can see the pictures on Commons, but also some of the photos are bellow:

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  St. Demetrious church
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  St. Athanasius church
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  St. Nicholas Toplicki church
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  Žurče Monastery
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  Icons at St. Demetrious Church
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  Fresco at St. Athanasius Church

"Meet Slovenia" workshop

In cooperation with the Slovenian Center in Skopje, Wikimedia MKD realized another successful and significant event that enriched the content of Wikipedia in the Macedonian language.

On 18 December 2024, at the premises of the “Dimitar Miladinov” Primary School in Skopje, a thematic workshop entitled “Meet Slovenia” was held. The event was organized in cooperation with the Slovenian Center in Skopje. The workshop was attended by 15 students from the “Dimitar Miladinov” Primary School in Skopje, who had the opportunity not only to learn more about Slovenia, but also to actively contribute to enriching the content of Wikipedia.

The workshop was officially opened by the Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Macedonia, Ms. Nika Rotar, who welcomed the attendees and emphasized the importance of this type of cooperation between the two countries. After this speech, a short speech was given by the Consul of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Martin Glažar, who emphasized the cultural and educational value of the event. The President of the Slovenian Center in Skopje, Mr. Sašo Stojkovski, also gave an introductory speech, where he emphasized the role of the center in promoting Slovenian culture and language in Macedonia. The Executive Director of Wikimedia MKD, Ms. Snezana Štrkovska, and the Head of the Public Affairs Sector in the Municipality of Centar – Skopje, Ms. Jagoda Jankovska, as well as the Director of the Primary School “Dimitar Miladinov” Ms. Marija Varsamis Simonovska, also gave speech.

After the official addresses, the participants moved on to the second part of the workshop, which was dedicated to editing and translating Wikipedia articles into Macedonian. The topic of the editing was Slovenian cuisine – one of the richest and most diverse aspects of Slovenian culture. During the workshop, the participants created 22 new articles, which are now available at Wikipedia on Macedonian language.

The atmosphere of the event was pleasant and inspiring, and some of that energy can be seen through the photographic material on Commons, but also some of the photos are bellow:

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  The Representatives
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  The participants
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  Editing articles
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  Editing articles
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  Editing articles
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  Editing articles

Wikimedia MKD's presentation at Skopje code 2024

Skopje Code 2024 was held on December 21 and 22. The event aims to provide students with lectures by experts from the business-tech community, mentoring in the development of projects.

Representatives of Wikimedia MKD participated in this event. Snezana Štrkovska, Executive Director of Wikimedia MKD and Kiril Simeonovski, member of the Executive Board of Wikimedia MKD introduced the attendees to the basics of Wikipedia. They highlighted the benefits of using Wikipedia as an educational and informative tool, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and verifiability of information.