My First Wikimania Expertise in Paris – Diff

I’m Berkay, additionally User:Piyanist on Wikimedia initiatives. I’ve been contributing to Wikimedia initiatives since 2020. I’m member of the Wikimedians of Turkic Languages User Group, CEE Youth Group, and WikiPortraits.

My Wikimedia actions primarily deal with edits and corrections to Wikipedia pages associated to my space of curiosity, including cited informations, images, Commons, youth-related initiatives, and subjects associated to music and tradition.

In this report, I’ll share my experiences, observations, and highlights from Wikimania 2026. I may also describe the occasions I loved essentially the most throughout the convention.

Wikimania 2026 in Paris was my first Wikimania. I had attended different Wikimedia occasions earlier than, however this was my first time experiencing Wikimania itself. During the convention, I joined classes associated to my pursuits, volunteered as a photographer at some actions, met new folks and frolicked once more with buddies I already knew from the CEE neighborhood. Some of the classes additionally gave me new concepts about how I need to contribute sooner or later, particularly by means of images, youth actions and music.

The time between classes was additionally an essential a part of the convention for me. During espresso breaks, meals and whereas shifting across the venue, I met Wikimedians from many alternative nations and had conversations that I most likely wouldn’t have had by means of scheduled classes alone.

And in fact there was additionally no scarcity of small issues to deliver residence. I collected stickers, pens, postcards, badges, notepads and different supplies from totally different Wikimedia communities and initiatives, together with significantly much less everlasting souvenirs within the type of snacks and meals. I stored a few of these for myself, however I additionally plan to make use of lots of the printed supplies, stickers, and different objects as supplies for occasions we set up sooner or later. They may also help me create a extra visible stand the place folks can see totally different Wikimedia communities, initiatives and occasions as a substitute of solely listening to about them.

During Wikimania, I moved between many alternative classes and actions. Sometimes I stayed till the top of a session, whereas at different instances I left to see one thing else. Below are the classes that I loved essentially the most or that gave me concepts about issues I’ll need to work on sooner or later.

AI, Wikidata and the opening ceremony

One of the primary classes I attended was “If AI becomes the first web interface, how can the Wikimedia movement adapt? Communities’ levers.”

The dialogue centered on how totally different Wikipedia communities are coping with generative AI. Matthias Schindler shared an instance a couple of device made to test ISBN numbers in Wikipedia references. The device helped establish articles containing pretend references generated by AI. Some of the textual content seemed regular, however the books used as sources didn’t truly exist.

The audio system additionally mentioned how language communities can expertise AI in another way. One level I discovered fascinating was that language fashions can flatten totally different views as a substitute of understanding the context of every language and neighborhood. The dialogue was not merely about accepting or rejecting AI. It was additionally about understanding the place these instruments fail and conserving human evaluate within the course of.

After that, I attended Philippe Saadé’s “Wikidata MCP: Grounded SPARQL Query Generation.”

He demonstrated how a language mannequin could make a primary mistake whereas nonetheless producing one thing that appears technically convincing. In one instance, a mannequin looking for feminine physicists who had received the Nobel Prize in Physics initially chosen the QID of a canine breed as a substitute of the Nobel Prize.

The workflow offered within the session separated discovery, construction inspection, SPARQL technology and validation. This made it simpler to see the place a mistake occurred as a substitute of solely trying on the ultimate reply.

Later, I attended the opening ceremony, which additionally celebrated Wikipedia’s twenty fifth anniversary.

UNESCO’s Mariya Gabriel spoke about information as a public good and concerning the accountability of AI methods that rely on open information. Wikimedia Foundation CEO Bernadette Meehan talked concerning the folks behind Wikimedia. She reminded us that readers usually solely see the completed article. They don’t see all of the discussions, photographs, translations, corrections and different work that occurs behind it.

Jimmy Wales talked about assuming good religion and making newcomers really feel welcome. He additionally spoke about freedom, fairness and the significance of conserving Wikipedia dependable. He additionally mentioned misinformation bubbles and unequal entry to data. One level that stayed with me was his description of Wikipedia’s position within the age of AI: its worth is just not merely offering the quickest reply, however offering data that may be checked and verified.

He additionally described Wikipedia as one thing constructed steadily by means of edits, strains of code and discussions fairly than round one individual.

The ceremony continued with the Wikimedian of the Year awards. I photographed the entire award recipients and later uploaded my pictures to Wikimedia Commons. You can entry these photographs from the following Commons category

A morning contained in the Sainte-Geneviève Library

The subsequent morning, I joined an organised go to to the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève.

We met on the Wikimania venue early within the morning, obtained public transport tickets and travelled to the library collectively. Before coming into, I walked across the Panthéon space with different photographers and took road and architectural pictures.

In the decrease ranges, we noticed giant collections of books, archive supplies and older copy codecs. Pauline confirmed us the microfilm archive: earlier than digitisation, books and newspapers had been copied on small reels, and readers can nonetheless use them immediately. She additionally defined how bodily collections are digitised and made obtainable by means of the Genovefa digital library. The library holds round two million paperwork in three buildings. When a reader requests a guide, the request is printed within the stacks and the guide is distributed up with a small raise, in about twenty minutes. The rolling cabinets keep solely on the bottom degree, as a result of anyplace else their weight would hurt the foundations of the constructing.

We additionally noticed historic paperwork, uncommon books and supplies linked to preservation and digitisation. For me, essentially the most spectacular piece was a planetary clock made in southern Germany on the finish of the sixteenth century – one of many only a few surviving on the planet, and nonetheless working, displaying the actions of the planets. The photographs I took of the library and the archive space throughout these occasions are in this Commons category.

Photography and WikiPortraits

“Behind the Lens: WikiPortraits on a Global Scale”, offered by Kevin Payravi, Jennifer 8. Lee and different WikiPortraits contributors.

The downside behind WikiPortraits is straightforward: many Wikipedia biographies nonetheless have lacking or poor pictures, however taking an excellent {photograph} of a notable individual typically requires being on the proper occasion and having media entry. WikiPortraits helps photographers attend and canopy these sorts of occasions, in order that helpful pictures can later be uploaded below free licences and used throughout Wikimedia initiatives.

WikiPortraits now has greater than 200 photographers from over 40 nations, and collectively they’ve uploaded greater than 95,000 pictures. The group lined over 180 occasions in 2025, and one other 169 occasions had already been lined in 2026 by the point Wikimania came about. These pictures are additionally extensively used, receiving round 400 to 500 million views each month.

One a part of the mannequin was particularly related to me. WikiPortraits encourages photographers to start with occasions in their very own space. As they construct expertise and a portfolio of Wikimedia work, the group may also help with accreditation for bigger worldwide occasions. For some main protection, there will also be assist with journey or lodging.

This linked carefully with my very own images work. In Türkiye, I already {photograph} musicians, artists, live shows and different occasions. Until now, these pictures had been often produced for artists, organisers or their very own media use, and I had not likely linked this a part of my images with Wikimedia Commons.

The session made that connection a lot clearer for me. When licensing and different circumstances are appropriate, I hope to make a few of my future artist and live performance images helpful on Commons as effectively.

For me, this can be a sensible approach to join images work I already do with my Wikimedia actions as a substitute of treating them as fully separate issues.

And after that session, I joined WikiPortraits. For me, this was one of many classes I loved most at Wikimania 2026.

Indigenous information and accountable sharing

“Respecting Indigenous Knowledge in Open Spaces.”

The panel mentioned Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property and Indigenous Data Sovereignty. The audio system defined why open information is just not solely about copyright or whether or not one thing can technically be uploaded.

Cultural context, consent and the communities linked to that information additionally matter.

The Wikimedia Australia staff offered a information that helps contributors take into consideration culturally delicate materials and whether or not a supply is culturally acceptable. One of the sensible concepts was to ask not solely whether or not materials may be uploaded, however whether or not importing it’s the accountable selection.

Thérèse Ottawa additionally spoke concerning the Atikamekw-language Wikipedia venture in Canada and its reference to schooling and language revitalisation. The venture included work with youthful folks and faculties, serving to the language stay lively in a digital surroundings.

This session linked with what I had seen on the library. Digitising cultural materials may also help extra folks entry it, however we additionally want to consider how that materials is shared.

CEE Youth and concepts for future actions

Youth participation was one other a part of my Wikimania programme.

“Bring in the Youth! Discussing Ways to Support Youth on a Regional Level.” Participants shared examples from totally different areas and talked about mentoring, universities, casual actions and methods to assist younger contributors who might not have an lively area people round them.

One instance I appreciated was using easy social actions corresponding to board recreation conferences. These conferences helped younger Wikimedians get to know one another, and a few later developed initiatives collectively. The dialogue additionally seemed on the position of regional teams in connecting younger individuals who might in any other case really feel remoted of their native Wikimedia neighborhood.

Later, I joined the CEE Youth session and workshop.

Meeting WikiOrchestra

At the top of the day, I went to the WikiOrchestra rehearsal and met the conductor, Lukas Mezger

I instructed him that I’m enjoying the piano and composing musics. I additionally talked about that I had composed the opening music for the Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2024 in Istanbul.

There can be a separate diff publish on this matter right here:

We talked with Lukas about music at Wikimedia occasions and potential future collaborations. I had found the details about the closing choir late, however after our dialog Lukas invited me to hitch.

Manuscripts and the closing ceremony

On the ultimate day, I attended “From Wikilontar to Wikisami: How Regional Partnerships Power Community-Led Growth in Bali”, offered by Carma Citrawati and Sakti Hendra Pramudya.

The session defined how work round Balinese manuscripts developed by means of area people participation and wider partnerships. The dialogue was not solely about scanning paperwork. It additionally centered on belief, native management and giving communities a job in selections about their very own cultural heritage.

For me, this linked naturally with each the Sainte-Geneviève Library go to and the Indigenous information panel. All three confirmed totally different sides of digitisation and cultural heritage.

After the session, I studied the rating for “Oh, Wikipédia!” and joined the WikiOrchestra and choir rehearsal. I spent hours engaged on the music, pronunciation, stage positions and efficiency.

Near the top of the closing ceremony, the WikiOrchestra and choir went on stage and we carried out the music collectively.

Performing with the choir on the most important amphitheater stage, grew to become probably the most memorable components of my first Wikimania.

Lukas and I additionally talked about future music initiatives. I additionally plan to proceed composing unique music for Wikimedia occasions when there is a chance. For me, music is just not solely one thing separate from Wikimedia actions.

After the ceremony, we joined the Wikimania 2026 group photograph.

On the ultimate day of Wikimania, there was one other very literal instance of what number of small contributions can create one thing a lot bigger. Wikimania contributors labored collectively on a large model of the Wikipedia Puzzle Globe exterior the venue. When it was completed, the puzzle lined round 100 sq. metres and had 944 items. It was one of many largest jigsaw puzzles ever assembled in France. It later grew to become the backdrop for the ultimate group photograph.

I additionally stored one of many puzzle items as a memento. Together with the badges, postcards, stickers and different issues I collected throughout the week, it is going to most likely change into one of many extra uncommon items of my future pupil membership stand.

Looking again at my first Wikimania

My first Wikimania included discussions about AI, images, cultural heritage, youth actions and music.

But the expertise was not restricted to the classes. Meeting Wikimedians from totally different nations throughout breaks, seeing the initiatives folks introduced with them and easily spending time with different contributors had been additionally essential components of the week.

I returned from Paris with a number of concepts for what I need to do subsequent, like join extra of my images with Wikimedia Commons and WikiPortraits, change into extra lively in CEE Youth and youth-related actions, and proceed exploring methods to deliver music into Wikimedia occasions.

I additionally need to proceed contributing to the subjects I already edit whereas attempting these totally different types of participation.

One helpful a part of Wikimania for me was seeing that among the issues I already do exterior Wikimedia may also change into Wikimedia contributions.

The week ended with the group photograph, the enormous Puzzle Globe (Of course, I took one puzzle piece with me.) and the reminiscences and small objects I introduced residence from Paris. It was a memorable finish to my first Wikimania.

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