Wikimedia Armenia/Reports/2025-01
Wikiclubs
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As of January 31, there are 250 registered members in all 9 active Wikiclubs (Goris, Ddmashen, Lernapat, Kirants, Koghb, Hatsik, Jermuk, Kajaran, and Ijevan).
In January, the “2025” project initiated specifically for the Wikiclubs was launched. During this project, participants created articles about events, movies, and people deceased in 2025. The Wikiclub member who created the most quality articles received a prize from Wikimedia Armenia and four other participants received certificates.
Within the frames of the project, 26 participants created 127 articles with a volume of 1,383,471 bytes.
Throughout January, out of 250 Wikiclub members, 71 contributed to Wikipedia. In total, they have created 319 articles and made 1381 edits with a volume of 6,481,357 bytes.
During the month of January, 53 Wikiclub members contributed to Wikidata, by making 1141 edits in total.
Other events
[edit]Besides editing, the following events were organized in Wikiclubs:
- On January 6, Ijevan Wikiclub organized a New Year’s event; Wikiclub members played Secret Santa.
A visit to Ddmashen Wikiclub
[edit]On January 30, Wikimedia Armenia staff paid a visit to Ddmashen Wikiclub in Gegharkunik marz. A meeting was held with the coordinator and members of the club. Ongoing projects were discussed, as well as ideas and topics were raised that club members are interested in which should also be considered in future projects. The purpose of the visit was also to solve some technical problems of the club. Namely, the old and slow notebooks were replaced by new and updated ones to ensure the productive work of the Wikiclub.
Wikipedia Day
[edit]On January 15, Wikimedia Armenia members and active editors celebrated Wikipedia’s 24th birthday anniversary. President of Wikimedia Armenia gave an opening speech thanking everyone who contributed to the development of Wikipedia and their dedication. Afterward, all projects implemented throughout 2024 were summarized using infographics.
As in previous years, this year Wikimedia Armenia separated several nominations: “The Best Newcomer”, “The Best Article”, “The Best WikiClub Member” and “The Best Wikipedian of 2024”. All winners received a trophy, prizes and certificates of honor, and Arshaluys Ayvazyan, who was recognized as the "Best Wikipedian", received the trophy for that category which is passed from one winner to another every year.
The winners of the edit-a-thon of gift-articles for Wikipedia’s anniversary were announced. The projects and activities planned for 2025 were discussed. In order to raise participants’ festive mood and to make reference to Wikipedia’s history, a small quiz called “What do you know about Wikipedia?” was played and the winner had the chance to cut the birthday cake. After the formal part of the event, the participants were given a chance to socialize and have fun.
24 Articles for Wikipedia’s 24th Birthday
[edit]On January 15, 2025, Wikimedia Armenia celebrated Wikipedia’s 24th birthday. One of the competitions and activities summarized during the event was the “24 Articles for Wikipedia’s 24th Birthday” edit-a-thon. On December 1, 2024, Wikimedia Armenia launched an edit-a-thon for gift articles. Within its framework, participants created and improved articles as gifts to Wikipedia on its anniversary. Overall, 63 editors participated in the edit-a-thon creating 527 articles with a volume of 12,112,778 bytes. On Wikipedia’s Birthday, the winners - a newcomer, an experienced editor, and those who created the most articles - of the edit-a-thon were announced.
Winter Youth Wikicamp 2025/training courses
[edit]From 25 January to 1 February, Wikimedia Armenia organized Winter Youth Wikicamp. As many newcommers applied to participate in the Wikicamp special week-long training courses on Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects were organized for them both offline at WMAM office and online. Those applicants who could not attend the courses offline, were introduced to the training materials by the Wikiclub coordinators, either offline or online.
Overall, there were 339 applicats to the Wikicamp, out of which 212 were newcomers. The training courses were attended by 63 newcomers.
The beginner editors were separated into several groups and each group had a three-day training. During it, the participants registered on Armenian Wikipedia, learned about Wikipedia’s history, five pillars, basic rules, article structure, editing tools, as well as how to work on sandbox and create articles. On the second day of the training, almost all participants translated and created their first articles on Armenian Wikipedia.
Within a week of the training courses, 71 articles were created with a volume of 1,572,116 bytes. Based on the quality and quantity of articles created during the training, newcomer participants were selected to participate in Winter Youth Wikicamp. As a result, the camp welcomed 23 newcomer Wikimedians.
Winter Youth Wikicamp 2025
[edit]From 25 January to 1 February, the Winter Youth Wikicamp 2025 was organized in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia. The number of Wikicamp participants was 48 and the staff was 9. Of the 48 participants, 23 were newcomers; they were divided into 4 groups competing in several categories: creating and improving articles on Armenian Wikipedia, sports activities, and intellectual and cultural games.
Throughout the Wikicamp days, 557 articles with a volume of 20,884,141 bytes were created from the lists of vital articles. If we add the number of articles created during the pre-camp training courses for newcomers, the total number of articles will reach 628 with 22,416,257 bytes.
Besides attending daily editing workshops, participants also participated in various games and competitions: bowling, snow volleyball, remote control car racing, “Fort Wiki”, music performance, painting competition, “The Best Cook” competition, “Brain Ring” intellectual game, table tennis, 3D puzzle, and a video making contest about WikiCamp. In addition to all these activities, participants visited the ropeway of Tsaghkadzor. They also organized the “Secret Friend” game. On the last day of the Wikicamp, the closing ceremony was held and the winning groups and editors were announced. Afterward, participants and the organizing team grilled sausages and potatoes, sang songs, and played the guitar.
Wiki Literary World
[edit]On January 15, Wikimedia Armenia and “Darak” publishing house jointly organized second “Wiki Literary World” edit-a-thon, during which articles about writers and poets are created on Armenian Wikipedia.
The edit-a-thon will last a month and end on 15 February. All participants will be awarded certificates, books and the most active participants will receive valuable books from “Darak” publishing house.
In media
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“Zartutsich” program of Radio Arevik hosted Arshak Shahenyan, President of Wikimedia Armenia to talk about the activities and new projects of 2024, as well as future plans.