Wikimixtura Beni: Expanding Free Knowledge About Bolivia

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Dancer in the Ichakepene Piesta. Gabvia CC BYB-SA 4.0

Wikimixtura is a series of contests organized by Wikimedistas de Bolivia aimed at improving the content about Bolivia’s living culture on Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons. At the end of 2024, the Beni edition of this contest took place, with the goal of enriching the images and articles about the Beni department. Beni is the second largest department in Bolivia, yet it is one of the least represented in the encyclopedia.

The idea for this contest came up after a conversation with user Devy Shakty, a long-time volunteer and multiple-time winner of past Wikimixtura editions. Devy, who was born and lives in Beni, shared with us not only the lack of verifiable information about Beni on Wikipedia and the internet in general, but also the difficulty in reaching out to new volunteers from this region. With her help and guidance, the challenge to improve the content about Beni began, while also allowing the community of wikimedians and free knowledge enthusiasts to grow. As Devy puts it:

As someone from Beni, it was very rewarding to collaborate in a contest that seeks to highlight the greatness and beauty of Beni, showcasing the work of both amateur and professional photographers who capture our region, its various landscapes, and people, especially because the content published on Wikimedia platforms can be accessed by users from all over the world. While the internet today is a whirlwind of information, Wikimedia serves as a reliable reference, offering rigorously sourced content, which is a crucial feature in informing the public in the digital age. I hope a new version of the contest will be developed to continue showcasing Beni.

Did you know that 20% of Bolivia’s territory belongs to the Beni department, yet it’s one of the least represented in the encyclopedia?

Beni, part of the Amazon, is one of the most biodiverse departments in Bolivia and even the world. It is also the birthplace of the Ichapekene Piesta, a popular celebration recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Additionally, the region is home to several indigenous groups who fight daily to preserve their language, land, and traditions. These are just a few examples of the richness and diversity of this department.

The contest lasted a month and coincided with the anniversary of Beni, celebrated annually on November 18th. Thanks to this initiative, over 180 images were uploaded, and 19 articles were created and improved. While these numbers may seem modest, they are very significant when you consider that, until recently, there was very limited free content about Beni.

We are very proud of the results of this contest and will continue working with volunteers from across Bolivia to promote the creation of free, locally-focused knowledge in every community, municipality, and department, and share it with the world through Wikimedia platforms.

If you’re in Bolivia and believe there are topics from your local area that should be represented in the free encyclopedia, get in touch with us, and let’s work together as a community!

Some photos from the contest:

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