Wikipedia – the free online encyclopedia – turned 23 on January 15, 2024. As every wiki community around the globe, Wikimedia Armenia (WMAM) also celebrated Wikipedia’s birthday.
WMAM has an annual tradition of organizing an edit-a-thon a month before Wikipedia Day, allowing Armenian wiki editors to write articles as a birthday present. As Wikipedia was turning 23, the goal for each editor was to write 23 articles. Within a month, 59 participants created and improved 471 articles. Within the frames of the “23 Articles for Wikipedia’s 23rd Birthday” edit-a-thon, 11 of 59 wiki editors created 23 or more articles; thus, they received certificates.
On January 15, Wikimedia Armenia welcomed 40 Armenian wiki community members for the birthday celebration. First, there was a formal part: the president of WM AM, Arshak Shahenyan, summarized the projects carried out during 2023 and shared the analysis of the results of all activities. Afterward, the winners of several competitions – “Wiki Loves Monuments” and “23 Articles to Wikipedia’s 23rd Birthday” – were announced. As during previous years, this year as well, there were nominations for “The Best Newcomer,” “The Best Article,” “The Best Wikiclub Member,” and “The Best Wikipedian.” All winners received a trophy, presents and certificates.
WM AM has a special tradition of passing the trophy for “The best Wikipedian” from one winner to another. As the last winner of this nomination – Arminé Aghayan-Flisch – was announced in 2022 and she moved to another country, the trophy was handed over to the new “Best Wikipedian” Slavic Sahakyan by the president of Wikimedia Armenia.
Each year, WMAM thinks of a new, fun way of deciding who should cut the birthday cake. For instance, last year, all participants turning 22 were responsible for slicing the cake. This year, the participants played a short online game; they answered several questions about Wikipedia, and the winner, who answered all the questions fastest, had the honor of cutting the birthday cake.
Afterward, everyone had a chance to socialize, get acquainted with new people, and have fun.
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