The Wikimedia Community User Group Zambia is gearing up for a vibrant and impactful summer with two major events designed to celebrate and preserve Zambia’s natural and cultural heritage. Starting on June 1, the group will launch Wiki Loves Earth, an esteemed international photography competition dedicated to capturing the beauty of protected natural areas around the world. This year, the competition will run for two months, concluding on July 31, allowing participants to explore and photograph Zambia’s stunning landscapes and biodiversity.
Wiki Loves Earth offers photographers, both amateur and professional, an opportunity to showcase the unique natural environments of Zambia. From the majestic Victoria Falls to the diverse ecosystems within the Kafue and South Luangwa National Parks, participants will have a wide array of subjects to capture. The best photographs will not only be featured on Wikimedia Commons, enriching the global repository of free knowledge, but will also compete for local and international prizes.
Building on the momentum of Wiki Loves Earth, the Wikimedia Community User Group Zambia has announced that it will host Wiki Loves Monuments in 2024. This marks a significant milestone for the group, as it will be their first time hosting the event since becoming officially affiliated with the Wikimedia Foundation. Wiki Loves Monuments is an annual international competition that invites photographers to document cultural heritage monuments, thereby increasing public awareness and appreciation of historical sites.
The 2024 Wiki Loves Monuments event in Zambia will be organized in collaboration with the National Heritage Conservation Commission. This partnership aims to highlight Zambia’s rich cultural legacy, from ancient rock art sites to colonial-era buildings and traditional village structures. By documenting these monuments, participants will contribute valuable visual records to Wikimedia Commons, helping to preserve Zambia’s heritage for future generations.
“Our goal with these events is to engage the community in a meaningful way, encouraging people to discover and document the natural and cultural treasures of Zambia,” said a spokesperson for the Wikimedia Community User Group Zambia. “Through Wiki Loves Earth and Wiki Loves Monuments, we hope to foster a greater appreciation for our nation’s heritage and to contribute to the global movement of free knowledge.”
As the Wikimedia Community User Group Zambia prepares for these significant events, they extend an invitation to all community members, photographers, and heritage enthusiasts to participate. These competitions not only provide a platform for showcasing Zambia’s beauty but also play a crucial role in the preservation and promotion of the country’s natural and cultural heritage on a global scale.