Wikicamp 2025 in Strasbourg

Salü bisàmme! (Salut tout le monde / Hello everyone), as they say in the Alsatian language.

This was my third Wikicamp, and this time it took place in the vibrant, multicultural city of Strasbourg. I had previously attended the editions in Narbonne and Saint-Malo. As someone deeply engaged with Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata, and Wikipedia, I always treat these gatherings as an opportunity to both learn and contribute — and also to rediscover the cities that host us through a Wikimedia lens.

I arrived early in the morning and headed straight to the city center. My day began, quite fittingly, with a pain au chocolat and a cappuccino — a welcome change from my usual black coffee. Not far away stood the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral. Although I had seen it on earlier visits, this was the first time I truly had time to explore it in depth — both as a visitor and as a Commons photographer.

After breakfast, I wandered through Strasbourg’s charming historical streets. Every building seemed to tell a story. The architectural details — especially the windows and carvings — captivated me. As a photographer and Commons contributor, I always find myself facing the same joyful dilemma: which photo should I take? People often say, “Everything’s already been photographed,” but that’s never how I feel. There’s always a new angle, a detail someone overlooked, or a shadow that shifts just right. That’s why I often return from these trips with hundreds of photographs — and a sense of having witnessed something new each time.

Eventually, I made my way to the Cathedral. The pink sandstone, the intricate sculptures — I lost track of time just standing there, absorbing it all. I circled around to the southern side and arrived at Place de la Cathédrale, where the architectural rhythm of the façades and the ornate doors drew my full attention.

Later, I walked down to the river. The bridges were adorned with flower pots, casting colorful reflections onto the water — it brought back nostalgic memories of Wikitechstorm 2019 in Amsterdam. The weather was bright and the city looked radiant. I paused at every turn to photograph the historic buildings mirrored in the river’s surface. Among the churches I passed was the beautiful Église Saint-Thomas.

Pressed for time but still eager to explore, I opted for a boat cruise through the historic parts of the city. It turned out to be a perfect decision. From the water, I could admire many landmarks in a short span — including an impressive lock system that lifted our boat as the chamber filled with water. This engineering marvel brought us to La Petite France, a picturesque district that has inspired many films. I was mesmerized by its charm. After the boat ride, I stopped for lunch and tried the famous Alsatian dish choucroute. As I was leaving the restaurant, I spotted a group of Wikimedians arriving. I exchanged a few words with familiar faces and promised to meet them later.

After lunch, I explored La Petite France on foot. Walking allowed me to appreciate the timber-framed houses even more closely — their geometry like a textbook of vernacular mathematics. I soon reached the Ponts Couverts, where the reflections of the iconic towers danced on the surface of the water. I was fortunate to visit the interior of Église protestante Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune. Its vibrant frescoes and peaceful cloisters offered a moment of calm. I stayed there for a while, soaking in the silence, letting dreams drift through the arches.

Later, I reached the Wikicamp venue via public transport. Seeing everyone gathered was heartwarming. Some participants I had seen just weeks earlier at the Les sans pagEs convention in Lyon. That evening’s dinner gave us a beautiful chance to reconnect and share stories from our corners of the movement.

The following two days were filled with inspiring talks, workshops, and collaborative moments. One particularly thought-provoking workshop focused on ethics and conflict of interest. Participants broke into groups to discuss how the Wikimedia movement could evolve while staying rooted in core principles.

One of the most compelling sessions addressed detecting biases in AI-generated text. Organized by Wikimédia France, the discussion examined the challenges artificial intelligence presents to Wikipedia’s Neutral Point of View. It was reassuring to witness the community proactively building tools and awareness to ensure editorial integrity.

A dedicated session also introduced Wikimania 2026, which will take place next year in Paris. The presentation highlighted its significance as a global gathering that will bring together Wikimedians from all over the world to celebrate, debate, and shape the future of free knowledge — this time in the heart of France.

One of my favorite parts of Wikicamp was the guided walking tour — thankfully not the typical tourist path. We revisited the Cathedral and explored the Palais Rohan, its adjacent museums, and several charming old hotels. We passed by the Bibliothèque nationale et universitaire, discussing Strasbourg’s cultural heritage and exploring its public transport systems.

I also visited the Église Saint-Guillaume, an inclusive and welcoming church I hadn't planned on visiting but felt drawn to. It flew a rainbow flag (LGBTI+ flag) — something I hadn't expected but appreciated deeply. I took the opportunity to photograph and document it for Wikimedia Commons.

One of the most moving moments came during the closing ceremony, when we learned more about the local community’s work on the Alsatian-language Wikipedia. Their dedication to preserving regional knowledge and identity through collaborative editing was both humbling and inspiring. It reminded me that Wikimedia is truly a multilingual, multicultural movement — and that every voice matters.