Archive:Press releases/Wikimania 2013 Hong Kong Announcement

Wikimania, the global Wikimedia/Wikipedia conference, comes to Hong Kong, August 9-11, 2013

HONG KONG and SAN FRANCISCO -- July 16, 2013 -- Wikimania 2013 is coming to Hong Kong this summer. Wikimania has been, since 2005, the premier annual international gathering of the Wikimedia community, with participation from experts, academics, and Wikimedia enthusiasts who are empowering people around the world through free access to global knowledge. Wikimania has been held previously in Frankfurt, Germany; Boston, USA; Taipei, Taiwan; Alexandria, Egypt; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Gdańsk, Poland; Haifa, Israel; Washington DC, USA. Expected attendance this year is 1000+ global participants.

Wikimania's Opening Session

On August 9, Wikimania’s opening session will feature Makoto Okamoto, project leader of the saveMLAK Initiative, an initiative saving Museums, Libraries, Archives and Kouminkans (community centers) in Japan struck by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

The session will also feature Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, the world’s largest online encyclopedia with over 25 million articles in 285 languages, as he presents his “The State of the Wiki” speech to the audience.

Wikimania Program

The theme this year is “Future of Wikipedia & Wikimedia,” and more than 100 presentations out of 300 global submissions will be presented. Presentations are divided into five categories: Wikis in Asia; Cultural and Educational outreach; WikiCulture and Community; Analysis and Public Engagement; and Technology & Infrastructure. More information is available at www.wikimania.hk

Where

Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Plenary Sessions: Jockey Club Auditorium Chapters’ Village: Logo Square (Chan Sui Kau and Chan Lam Moon Chun Square)

When

Conference: August 9–11 Plenary Speeches: August 9, 09:00-11:00

Partners & Co-Hosts

Wikimania 2013 is organized by Wikimedia Hong Kong in partnership with the Wikimedia Foundation and Wikimedia Switzerland. Co-hosts for Wikimania 2013 include the Dot.Asia Organisation and School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Sponsors

Wikimania 2013 is sponsored by Ask.com, Google, and WikiHow.

Press Passes

Press passes are available. Journalists interested in obtaining Press Credentials should register here.

Press Contacts

Kris Cheng (Wikimedia Hong Kong)

Phone: (852) 9619 4786

Email: wikimania-PR@wikimedia.hk

Matthew Roth (Wikimedia Foundation)

Phone: +1 415.839.6885 ext. 6635

Email: mroth@wikimedia.org