Wiki Loves Monuments 2019 Is Now Open!

Wiki Loves Monuments 2019 Is Now Open!

  • Posted on: September 3, 2019
  • By:

Wikimedia volunteers around the world started the 10th edition of Wiki Loves Monuments on September 1st, 2019. This is the 10th edition of WLM, a remarkable achievement for a competition that has garnered the status of “the world’s largest open photography contest” in Guinness World Records. We are excited and look forward to running another successful round of adding monument(al) photos from all over the world to Wikipedia. Photos submitted through WLM illustrate the more than 1.4 million monuments on Wikipedia and help more people around the world to learn about history and national heritage of all participating countries.

WLM is for everyone! If you ever wondered how to start giving back to the wealth of knowledge on Wikipedia that all of us use on a daily basis, this is a great way to start. Everybody can join the competition by submitting a photograph of a nationally registered monument on Wikimedia Commons before September 30, following the instructions for each country. You can participate in as many national competitions as you wish. The national and international winning entries in WLM normally enjoy exposure by making national and international headlines.

Wiki Loves Monuments is an annual photo competition celebrating built cultural heritage. It is organized by volunteers around the world, and up to top ten photographs from each country are selected for an international finale. The winners from 2018 included a mosque in Iran, ruins of an ancient city in Jordan, a cathedral in the United Kingdom, an abandoned factory in Poland and other photos from Bangladesh, Russia, Romania, Nepal, Denmark and elsewhere. These may be regular sights for some people, but thanks to Wiki Loves Monuments photographers, they will be more documented on Wikipedia and more accessible to everyone around the world, free of cost, forever.

Over the years, WLM has not only collected millions of photos for Wikipedia, it has also formed communities, strengthened local Wikipedia-related activities and brought Photography and Wikipedia enthusiast together. WLM photos are not just random photos. They come with personal stories, some of which from 2018 winners you can read here. They help preserve monuments and occasionally bring awareness to the ones that are endangered.

Wiki Loves Monuments is built on three simple criteria. First, all photos are freely licensed, like all other contributions to Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons. By giving permission to the public to share these photos, it ensures that the results can remain widely available forever. Second, all photos must contain an identified monument, e.g., a building or art of historic significance – we want to know what heritage is on the photo, so that we can actually use it. Each country maintains a list of registered historic sites that are eligible for the competition. Third, the photo must be uploaded in the month of September. You are always welcome to contribute your photography to Wikimedia Commons, but photos uploaded before or after the month of September may not be considered for the competition. If you would like more details on Wiki Loves Monuments in your country, you can visit wikilovesmonuments.org/participate.

Whether you are going on a trip to visit someplace new, share this wonderful photo on a holiday trip many years ago or take a quick picture of a landmark where you live, we’re excited to see your photographs.

Good luck!

Posted by

14 Comments

  1. Nazmul Huda · September 4, 2019

    I want to join wiki love monuments

  2. Claudia Herrera · September 6, 2019

    Hi :)!
    I don’t see my country participating this year, can I still upload the photo? Would you count as an participation? I am from El Salvador, Central America.

    • Mohammad · September 6, 2019

      Unfortunately, El Salvador is not participating in WLM this year. You can still upload your photos on Wikimedia Commons but there won’t be part of a competition. Hopefully next year 🙂

  3. Gilad · September 8, 2019

    Does Israel participate this year ?

    • Lodewijk · September 8, 2019

      Thanks for your interest! Israel is skipping a year, and hopes to participate again next year.

  4. Wiki Loves Monuments International Photo Contest 2019 - Tech Jollof · September 8, 2019

    […] Visit the Official Webpage of the Wiki Loves Monuments International Photo Contest 2019 […]

  5. Wiki Loves Monuments International Photo Contest 2019 ( Cash Prizes ) - Empowerment Opportunities · September 9, 2019

    […] Join the Contest For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the Wiki Loves Monuments International Photo Contest 2019 […]

  6. Wiki Loves Monuments International Photo Contest 2019 - My Scholarship Africa · September 9, 2019

    […] Visit the Official Webpage of the Wiki Loves Monuments International Photo Contest 2019 […]

  7. Wiki Loves Monuments International Photo Contest 2019 - BusinessTrumpet News · September 9, 2019

    […] Visit the Official Webpage of the Wiki Loves Monuments International Photo Contest 2019 […]

  8. Helen Gray · September 13, 2019

    I have some questions about some of these monuments. I have taken or tried to take photos of these in the last 4 years, so I am curious how this list has been made. If it was provided by Tourism Johor then I fully understand why there are so many mistakes.
    Q1… 01-JHR/1 I believe this is either destroyed or derelict. Either way, it would have been in the grounds of the Grand Palace and the public is not allowed in this area. How is one supposed to take photos of this?
    Q2… I think that 01-JHR/3 and 01-JHR/15 are the same thing.
    Q3… I think that 01-JHR/7 and 01-JHR/20 are the same thing.
    Q4… 01-JHR/18 has been closed for at least 4 years. It is also in the grounds of the Grand Palace and the public are barred from entry. Again, how is one supposed to take photos of this?
    These ‘closed’ buildings are protected by signs showing that trespassers will be shot! I am sure your prize is not worth this!

    • Lodewijk · September 13, 2019

      Hi! This is best to check with the local team. It looks like this page is the best place to ask your question. You’re of course right that you should never do something illegal to take a photo. What may be the case sometimes, is that people have a photo from an earlier period when it was accessible or not yet destroyed. That is why we typically keep the buildings on the lists, even if they become inaccessible.

  9. Helen Gray · September 14, 2019

    Thank you for your response, and I understand now why you have buildings on the list that no one can see today. Sadly your link goes to a page which has been deleted.

  10. Concours international de photos Wiki Loves Monuments 2019 - Opportinuté afrcica · September 17, 2019

    […] Visitez la page Web officielle du concours photo international Wiki Loves Monuments 2019 […]