Wikipedia launches project about Ukrainian monuments destroyed or damaged by Russian forces

From April 15 to 30, Ukrainian Wikipedia will host the "Cultural Heritage of Ukraine" campaign dedicated to filling the most extensive online encyclopedia with information about Ukraine's monuments that have already been lost or are under threat of destruction, namely due to Russia's war.

On the occasion of the International Day of Monuments and Landmarks, the NGO Wikimedia Ukraine invites everyone to join the campaign to create and improve articles about lost and damaged monuments of immovable cultural heritage, especially those that suffered from the full-scale Russian military invasion of Ukraine.

What is the problem?

"According to UNESCO, as of February 15, 2023, 240 objects have been confirmed damaged since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion — 105 religious landmarks, 18 museums, 86 buildings of historical or artistic value, 19 monuments, 12 libraries," said Olha Milianovych, press secretary of the NGO Wikimedia Ukraine, and a member of the organizing committee of the Wiki Loves Monuments project. "Unfortunately, we understand that these figures about the destruction and damage of Ukrainian monuments are not yet final. So, we invite everyone who wants to document Ukrainian cultural heritage: create, improve articles, submit photos of monuments that have been destroyed, so that information about them is stored in an online encyclopedia that is read by millions."

What is the solution?

You can post not only about architectural monuments but also about historical monuments or buildings where historical events occurred. When adding information, it is necessary to cite sources.

If you are new to editing Wikipedia, we recommend starting with the Wikipedia: Article Wizard page.

Video instructions for working in Wikipedia for beginners are available at the link.

See the list of articles recommended for creation and improvement on the project page: april.wlm.photo.

Photos for illustrating articles from the photo contest "Wiki Loves Monuments" can be found at the link. You can also search for illustrations by lists of attractions.

How does it work?

As in the previous two years, you can join the "Cultural Heritage of Ukraine" project on Wikipedia in the following ways:

• add new objects to the list of monuments: search for information about architectural monuments and history that are lost or destroyed in your city/region;
• check if there is an article about them in Wikipedia;
• if not, write a comment about it or complete the list on the project page;
• write or complete an article about such a monument. You can write not only about architectural monuments but also about historical monuments, buildings where historical events took place;
• try to find the necessary illustration in our repository using keywords or search in your archives for a photo of a landmark that can be added to the article;
• register yourself in the list of participants on the project page and record your contribution in the "Participants and articles" section.

Participants who will significantly add to Wikipedia within this project's scope will receive electronic certificates of participation and souvenirs from the organizers.

To do this, be sure to record your contribution in the "Participants and articles" section on the project page.