Wikimedia chapters/Reports/Wikimedia Bangladesh/2024
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Report of Activities: 2023
[edit]Overview
The Wikimedia Bangladesh chapter has successfully concluded another impactful year of promoting free knowledge and community engagement across Bangladesh. Building on its longstanding commitment to digital preservation, Wikimedia Bangladesh implemented several notable programs and collaborations in 2024. This year saw a continued focus on bridging knowledge gaps, supporting community growth, and organizing innovative activities across the country.
One of the highlights was the Wiki Loves Bangla photographic competition, which enriched the representation of Bengali culture and heritage on both sides of the India-Bangladesh border, in partnership with the West Bengal Wikimedians User Group. Furthermore, Wikimedia Bangladesh facilitated multiple training sessions, edit-a-thons, and workshops to empower new and existing contributors. With an emphasis on underrepresented topics and regions, the chapter actively encouraged contributions related to diverse subjects, including natural conservation, history, and local heritage.
The chapter also embraced digital innovation by hosting online and offline events to broaden the scope of community participation. These contributions not only enhanced Wikimedia projects but also highlighted the dedication of the chapter and its volunteers toward the mission of free knowledge sharing.
Bangla WikiConference 2024
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| Total Attendees |
Countries Represented |
Registrants Under 35 |
Total Sessions |
Total Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | 03 | 32%+ | 30 | 25 |
The Bangla WikiConference 2024, held from 15 to 16 November 2024 in Gazipur, Bangladesh, marked the inaugural edition of this biannual gathering dedicated to celebrating Bangla Wikimedia projects and the volunteers who drive their success. Organized by Wikimedia Bangladesh in collaboration with Wikimedia volunteers and regional communities of the Bangladesh chapter, the conference embraced the theme: “Knowledge. Diversity. Collaboration.”
This landmark event brought together 56 in-person participants, alongside numerous virtual attendees who joined through online platforms and live broadcasts. It provided an inclusive forum for Bangla-speaking Wikimedians from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and other parts of the world to connect, share ideas, and address the unique challenges faced by the Bangla Wikimedia community.
Key sessions focused on collaboration strategies, innovative solutions, and best practices for enhancing the growth and impact of Bangla Wikipedia and its sister projects. By fostering a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration, the conference set a significant precedent for advancing the open knowledge movement within the Bangla community, paving the way for future milestones in Wikimedia's journey.
Building Knowledge
Amar Ekushey Article Contest 2024
| Total Participants |
Total Articles |
Total Words |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 454 | 460 | 6,27,624 | 29 Days |
The 7th edition of the Amar Ekushey Article Contest 2024 was successfully organized this year on February 2024. The contest saw an overwhelming response, with 454 participants registering, most of whom were newcomers to Wikimedia projects. Throughout the contest, participants submitted a total of 460 articles for review, out of which 330 articles met the required quality standards and were accepted. These accepted contributions added over 6,27,624 words of valuable content to Bangla Wikipedia, significantly enriching its repository of free knowledge.
Over 35 Wikipedians nationwide participated in a prize-giving ceremony in Dhaka on 26 April 2024. The event served as a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among volunteers, further strengthening the Bangla Wikimedia community and inspiring new contributors to join the open knowledge movement.
Wikipedia:Good Article Review Campaign 2024
| Target Articles |
Total Reviewed |
Total Passed |
Success Rate |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 60 | 46 | 76.67% | 41 Days |
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The Wikipedia Good Article Review Campaign 2024 is a collaborative effort aimed at improving and promoting high-quality content across the Bangla Wikipedia. This initiative encourages the community to participate in reviewing articles, ensuring they meet the standards for good articles and enhancing their quality. Volunteers and experienced editors play a crucial role in identifying and reviewing articles that demonstrate accuracy, neutrality, and comprehensiveness, ensuring they align with Wikipedia's guidelines.
This year, the campaign set an ambitious target of reviewing 100 articles. A total of 60 articles were reviewed, and 46 of these articles successfully passed the review process, meeting the required standards. This achievement marked a 76.67% success rate in terms of the total target articles. In preparation for the campaign, online workshops were held to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively review articles. These workshops aimed to enhance the understanding of Wikipedia's good article criteria and provide guidance on how to conduct thorough and constructive reviews.
Rural Explore
Rural Explore at Proshika Human Resource Development Center
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In March, a photowalk was organized at the Proshika Human Resource Development Center in Manikganj, where Wikimedians explored and captured the rural scenic beauty of the location. The center spans 42 acres, with 11.9 acres dedicated to the cultivation of organic cereal crops, pulses, oil seeds, and vegetables. The photowalk provided participants with the opportunity to document the serene landscapes and agricultural practices, contributing to Wikimedia projects. A total of 5 participants took part in this enriching activity.
Building Heritage
Bangla WikiMoitree Photowalk
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The first-ever photowalk organized by Bangla WikiMoitree successfully brought together Wikimedians from both Bangladesh and West Bengal. The event took place in Sonargaon, Dhaka, where participants focused on capturing photographs of the 13th-century archaeological sites, Panam Nagar. This ruins once a thriving trade center, is an ancient settlement known for its historical architecture, reflecting the region's rich cultural heritage.
Nearly 400 photos were collected during the photowalk, including images of Panam Nagar, Boro Sardar Bari, and Shilpacharya Zainul Folk and Craft Museum. The Folk and Craft Museum houses a rich collection of traditional Bengali folk art, handicrafts, and cultural artefacts, solidifying its importance as a cultural hub. These photographs have been uploaded to Wikimedia Commons, significantly contributing to the documentation and preservation of these cultural landmarks. The event served as a milestone in fostering collaboration between Wikimedians from both sides of the border, while also highlighting the historical significance of Panam Nagar and its heritage sites.
Photowalk Rajshahi
The Rajshahi Wikimedia Community successfully organized a one-day Wikimedia Photowalk in September 2024 to document and preserve visual records of contemporary graffiti inspired by Bangladesh's 2024 Non-cooperation Movement.
Participants of the photowalk uploaded over 200 photographs, with 10 images already recognized as Quality Images. These photographs capture the vibrant and expressive street art that reflects public sentiment and creative activism during the movement. The images will enrich Wikimedia Commons, playing a crucial role in documenting this significant chapter of Bangladesh’s history.
This initiative not only showcased the artistic expressions of Rajshahi but also underscored the community’s commitment to promoting free knowledge and preserving cultural heritage through Wikimedia projects.
Photowalk Mymensingh
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The Mymensingh Wikimedia Community successfully organized a one-day Wikimedia Photowalk in September 2024. This event aimed to document and preserve visual records of the contemporary graffiti inspired by the 2024 Non-cooperation Movement in Bangladesh.
During the photowalk, participants captured over 280 high-quality photographs showcasing the vibrant and expressive street art that reflects the public sentiments and creative activism surrounding the movement. These photos will enrich Wikimedia Commons, contributing to the documentation of this significant chapter in Bangladesh's history.
The initiative not only highlighted the artistic expressions in Mymensingh but also reinforced the community's dedication to promoting free knowledge and cultural preservation through Wikimedia projects.
Photowalk Jamalpur
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The Mymensingh Wikimedia Community organized another one-day Wikimedia Photowalk in October 2024, focused on documenting various aspects of Jamalpur, a district in Bangladesh, part of the Mymensingh Division.
Participants captured nearly 200 photographs, including graffiti inspired by the July uprising, government institutions, historical places, national highways, and rivers in Jamalpur. These images will be uploaded to Wikimedia Commons, enriching the platform with local heritage and contemporary documentation. This event reinforced the community’s commitment to preserving and sharing the region's cultural and historical significance through Wikimedia projects.
Culture & Heritage
Wiki Loves Bangla 2024
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| Total Uploads |
Total Participants |
Featured Pictures |
Quality Images |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,109 | 200 | 01 | 35 | 31 Days |
Wikimedia Bangladesh and West Bengal Wikimedians jointly organised the first edition of Wiki Loves Bangla, under the collaborative banner of the Bangla WikiMoitree to enrich content about the culture, heritage, history and language of Bengal, the region where both the affiliates belong but divided by an international border. It has been decided to run a photographic competition named Wiki Loves Bangla each year with a different theme, common to both sides of the border. The theme of the first iteration of the competition was decided to be Bengali cuisine which is near and dear to all Bengali people. The organizing team and jury members were carefully selected from both West Bengal and Bangladesh. The competition ran for 1 month from 15th January 2024 to 14th February 2024, after which winning photographs were selected by the jury members.
A prize-giving ceremony took place on 26 April 2024 at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, Dhaka. This prestigious event was graced by approximately 26 participants and guests from both Bangladesh and India, marking a day of recognition and shared experiences.
Interwiki Collaboration
Assamese–Bengali Interwiki Collaboration Editathon 2024
| Total Participants |
Total Articles |
Total Words |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 94 | 0000 | 07 Days |
The Assamese–Bengali Interwiki Collaboration Edit-a-thon 2024 was held in April to foster collaboration between the Assamese and Bengali Wikipedia communities. This initiative aimed to bridge knowledge gaps between the two communities by creating or expanding articles about cultural, historical, and geographical topics relevant to Assam and Bangladesh.
A total of 14 participants from both language communities joined the event, contributing to the creation of 30 new articles. Key focus areas included articles on prominent figures, shared cultural heritage, and regional landmarks. Participants also worked on interlinking existing articles to improve connectivity and navigability between the two Wikipedias.
The edit-a-thon served as a platform for cross-cultural learning and collaboration, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in the open knowledge movement. The event set a precedent for future collaborative efforts to promote inclusivity and mutual understanding by fostering stronger ties between the Assamese and Bengali Wikimedia communities.
Edit-a-thons
2024 Bangladeshi General Election Editathon
| Participants | Total Articles |
Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 34 | 07 Days |
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The 2024 Bangladeshi General Election Editathon was organized to enhance the coverage of topics related to the 12th parliamentary election in Bangladesh. The primary objective of the event was to create and improve articles on election-related topics, including candidates, political parties, constituencies, and the newly elected parliamentarians following the January 7, 2024 election.
The edit-a-thon witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 20 Wikipedians, who worked collaboratively to create a total of 34 new articles and significantly improve existing ones. These contributions have enriched Bangla Wikipedia with up-to-date, reliable, and comprehensive information about the electoral process and its outcomes, ensuring a well-documented historical record for future reference. By documenting the profiles of the newly elected parliamentarians and other election-related topics, this initiative contributed to the democratization of information and emphasized the importance of accessible knowledge for all. The event also fostered collaboration and engagement within the Wikimedia community, encouraging ongoing contributions to topics of national importance.
International Women's Day Editathon 2024
| Total Participants |
Total Articles Created |
Total Articles Improved |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 32 | 08 | 05 Days |
The International Women's Day Editathon 2024 was held in March to commemorate International Women’s Day and promote gender equity in Wikimedia projects. The event focused on increasing the representation of women and women-related topics on Bangla Wikipedia.
The editathon drew participation from over 25 contributors, including both experienced Wikimedians and newcomers. Participants worked collaboratively to create and improve articles about notable women, their contributions to various fields, and issues related to women’s rights and gender equality. A total of 32 new articles were created, contributing to the visibility of women’s achievements and ensuring a more balanced repository of knowledge.
This effort aligns with the broader goals of International Women’s Day, emphasizing the importance of equity and inclusion in building a more representative and impactful knowledge base.
International Museum Day Editathon 2024
| Total Participants |
Total Articles |
Total Words |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 24 | 9,757 | 03 Days |
Museums play a crucial role in cultural exchange, enriching societies and fostering mutual understanding, cooperation, and peace among people. In celebration of International Museum Day, Chattogram Wikimedia Community organized an edit-a-thon on the Bangla Wikipedia (bn.wikipedia.org). It was a landmark event, marking the first of its kind since the inception of Bangla Wikipedia. It demonstrated the power of community collaboration in preserving and sharing cultural heritage. The three-day edit-a-thon was held from 17 to 19 May 2024, with this year’s theme being 'Museums for Education and Research.' Dedicated participants applied their expertise and effort, resulting in the creation of 24 new articles on Bangla Wikipedia, covering various museums in Bangladesh and India.
WikiShamabesh
| Num of Gathering |
Num of Places |
Total participaants |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04 | 04 | 60+ | 03 Days |
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Dhaka -
Chattogram -
Rajshahi -
Netrakona -
Chandpur
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Since 2007, Wikimedia Bangladesh has been organizing the annual Ekushey WikiShamabesh on 21 February to observe International Mother Language Day, encouraging contributions to Bangla Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. This year, the event was successfully held in five cities across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Netrokona and Chandpur. Local Wikimedians engaged the public by standing in prominent locations with banners, inviting passersby to participate in enriching Bangla-language content on Wikimedia platforms.
The day carries profound significance for Bangladesh, as 21 February commemorates the sacrifices of the 1952 Bangla Language Movement, where lives were lost to defend the right to speak and write in Bangla. Recognized globally by UNESCO, International Mother Language Day celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity and upholds the ethnolinguistic rights of communities worldwide.
WikiMeetups
| Online Meetups |
Offline Meetups |
Community Meetups |
Wikipedia Meetups |
Wikinandini Meetups |
Total Meetups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 | 02 | 03 | 01 | 05 | 09 |
In 2024, a total of 7 WikiMeetups were organized to strengthen collaboration and engagement within the Bangla Wikimedia community. These meetups included a mix of four offline gatherings and three online events, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for participants across different regions and interests.
- Offline
- Rajshahi Wikimedia Meetup, September 2024 – Held in September 2024, enabling participants to discuss regional challenges and opportunities for collaboration.
- Rajshahi Wikimedia Meetup, December 2024 – Held in September 2024, enabling participants to discuss regional challenges and opportunities for collaboration.
- Online
- Bangla Wikipedia Online Meetup, May 2024 – Organized in May 2024, this meetup focused on improving coordination among contributors and addressing technical issues faced by the community.
- Mymensingh Wikimedia Meetup, June 2024 – Held in June 2024, this event focused on fostering connections among local contributors and sharing best practices for Wikimedia projects.
- Wikinandini – Four meetups were held in 2024, bringing together contributors to the Wikinandini initiative, fostering collaboration and advancing efforts to document topics related to women’s empowerment and social equity.
- Online Meetup of Women Wikipedians, February 2024 – In February 2024, this meetup provided a platform for women contributors to connect, share experiences, and discuss initiatives to promote gender equity in Wikimedia projects.
- Wikinandini Online Meetup, April 2024
- Wikinandini Online Meetup, June 2024
- Wikinandini Online Meetup, October 2024
- Wikinandini Online Meetup, November 2024
20th Anniversary of Bangla Wikipedia!
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Dhaka -
Gazipur -
Rajshahi -
Netrokona -
Grand event
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In 2024, Bangla Wikipedia marked a momentous milestone—its 20th anniversary. A series of celebratory events commemorated two decades of fostering free knowledge and empowering contributors, culminating in a grand event at the Bangla WikiConference 2024 in Gazipur.
The celebrations spanned the year and included activities in four cities across Bangladesh: Dhaka, Gazipur, Rajshahi, and Netrakona. These events brought together Wikipedians, researchers, students, and enthusiasts to reflect on Bangla Wikipedia's journey, its impact on knowledge sharing, and its role in preserving and enriching the Bangla language online.
The main event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions. A highlight was a session titled "Evolution and Future of Bengali Language Technology" by language-technology specialist Mamun Or Rashid. This session provided valuable insights into advancements in linguistic tools and the future trajectory of Bangla Wikipedia.
The celebrations emphasized community-building, recognition of contributors, and renewed commitment to the mission of free knowledge. The 20th anniversary serves as a reminder of the incredible potential of collaborative knowledge and the dedication of the Bangla Wikimedia community.
