Wiki Loves Heritage 2023 report

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Wiki Loves Heritage is a yearly photo contest of Wikimedia Belgium. We use the jury tool Montage to judge the photos to determine the winners of the photo contest.

Logo Wikimedia Belgium

Why do we organise the contest?

This is the sixth time we organise Wiki Loves Heritage, as an extension of the worldwide Wiki Loves Monuments that is organised since 2010.

It builds on Belgian Freedom of panorama in 2016, and the year of European Heritage in 2018.

The reason why we organise Wiki Loves Heritage is to:

conserve heritage and monuments on Wikimedia Commons
build an inventory on Wikidata and Structured Data on Commons
use the images on Wikipedia

Some participants only contribute to Wikimedia Commons, others are participating in several Wikipedias, or to Wikidata. Users are encouraged to use Structured Data on Commons.

All participating photos Info ISA Tool

Evaluation of the photo contest Wiki Loves Heritage 2023

We would like to thank all participants, the meemoo organisation, for their close collaboration and for their effort to make this contest a success.

There were 63 participants that uploaded 1381 photos in total. We were with 13 jury members.

We selected 10 winners in the third round.

Some participants only contribute to Wikimedia Commons, others are participating in several Wikipedias or to Wikidata.

The prize winners will be individually contacted for the delivery of the prize.

I want to thank the jury members Anja, Elien, Frans, Geert, Charles, Inge, Hakan, Marthe, Kato, Sven, Saeid, Sofie, and Selcen for their effort in selecting the best images.

Winners

The winners of Wiki Loves Heritage 2023 in Belgium are:

Pikkeling Festival dansers

1. Pikkeling Festival dansers WLLH
(Herman.vandenbroeck)

The photographer managed to capture the male dancer's aerial leap in razor-sharp focus at the perfect moment. The colourful dancers come into their own through the neutral background. The position of the photographer was important for this picture, though not obvious during a live event. It is an image that captures the joy of the people. The photographer accurately captured the climax of the action in a harmonious composition. Photographing the movement so sharply almost creates a moment of calm in the action, which makes the image strong. What a jump, and what timing by the photographer! Superb shot, from which the joy of life radiates.

Deusterkapel

2. Deusterkapel WLH (Paul Hermans)

The photographer here demonstrates respect for both the heritage and the environment in which it is located..The imposing tree on the foreground in vertical line connects with the sky and, in contrast to the horizontal line of the wooded area on the back, underlines the vastness of the landscape. The perspective from which the picture was taken underlines a possible connection with what transcends us. A beautiful light accentuates a simple monument that invites a quiet walk. The photo exudes a calmness that suits the subject of the image very well. The tall, bare trees contrast nicely with the rather humble chapel.

Bibliothèque des sciences

3. Bibliothèque des sciences WLM (EmDee)

The photographer clearly prepared this picture. The unique architecture of the building comes into its own with the almost complete absence of shadow. The photographer's preparation and patience in waiting for the perfect moment is appreciated by the jury. Belgium is a country of architecture; the Brutalist movement had a strong influence on the architecture of the city of Louvain-la-Neuve and the former Science Library is a great example of this, with its rough concrete facade. Brutalism at its best! The photo whets the appetite to go down to Louvain-La-Neuve and admire the building in real life.

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkapel

4. Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkapel WLH
(Leo Van Vreckem)

The chapel is nicely portrayed here as part of its surroundings. Even though the chapel was photographed from quite close up, it is clear that it stands on a hill. The delineation of the building against an open blue sky with lateral clouds underline its majestic implantation in the surroundings. Religious connection as the final goal of the climb. The photo gives the feeling as if you are walking the path to the chapel yourself, which makes the image interesting. You imagine yourself on the Wall of Geraardsbergen, and you know that in a few seconds you will be rewarded with a vista.

Close-up Atomium

5. Close-up Atomium WLM
(Guy Fagot)

An original shot of an iconic monument! The colours are bright and the perspective is original. A highly successful photograph because of the colour, reflections and composition of the print. The interplay of shiny round shapes and vertical elements lend depth to the image and carry the eye high into the steel-blue sky. Or how a perfect leaf fill from an original perspective can bring a widely known and iconic building back to life. Another image! An original way of picturing the Atomium. The sun makes the silver spheres, the white tubes and the bright blue sky stand out brightly against each other.

Venetiaanse parade in Kasteel van Gaasbeek

6. Venetiaanse parade in Kasteel van Gaasbeek WLPZ (Anja Meert)

This picture combines several qualities. Notice the complementarity of the colours: the soft light purple against the olive green, the way the stately couple was portrayed: decked out yet understated and the leaf arrangement that does justice to both the cultural event (the Venetian parade) and Gaasbeek castle.

Bunker

7. Bunker WLPZ (Erik Bourgeois)

An original shot from above, with bright colours, for a type of building that is much more common in the countryside than you might think. This photo impresses first of all because of the perspective used and the vista: was it taken from the sky? Moreover, the combination of the elements: stone and crop, green and grey, even and ripped, enhances its aesthetic quality. How grim, that concrete element amid that blooming greenery: this photo refers to a war past to dwell on. Man, nature and life have triumphed over the death this bunker evokes. A beautiful message of optimism, well put together! The strength of the image lies in the simplicity of the composition. What is that building doing in the middle of a field? What is its function? Where are we? This picture immediately raises a number of questions, which makes it interesting.

Reus Contios

8. Reus Contios WLH
(Onurb Streappats)

This photo of Giant Contios from Kontich is proof of a lively tradition and that is also its greatest merit. We see in the photo a unique moment where the giant makes contact with a resident of the Altena neighbourhood. The giant really exists and goes on tour! Also photographically, the artificial, the giant against the light blue sky, contrasts beautifully with the human, the girl in the dark window frame. The contact-seeking giant Contios nicely shows the exchange and power that intangible heritage holds. Wonder speaks from this picture. Something deeply human emanates from this photograph. As if Giant Contios were a living person, seeking contact with a fellow human being. The image appeals to our enduring and never-fulfilled need for connection.

Diefstal van de hosties

9. Diefstal van de hosties WLLH
(Ommegang van de Heeg)

This photo is nice because it clearly depicts a tradition. Taken frontally, with a good view of the "float" pulled by horses and the crowd lined up along both sides during a sun-drenched day. A nice testimony to a procession that makes a tour only once every 25 years. This photo of the Hegge Ommegang nicely shows how the sacred is carried by the crowd. This photo highlights the local aspect of intangible heritage. Intangible heritage is not something you do alone, but together with a lot of people. Both the people in the procession and the spectators are essential to the story. This photo demonstrates that very nicely.This photo is nice because it clearly depicts a tradition. Taken frontally, with a good view of the "float" pulled by horses and the crowd lined up along both sides during a sun-drenched day. A nice testimony to a procession that makes a tour only once every 25 years. This photo of the Hegge Ommegang nicely shows how the sacred is carried by the crowd. This photo highlights the local aspect of intangible heritage. Intangible heritage is not something you do alone, but together with a lot of people. Both the people in the procession and the spectators are essential to the story. This photo demonstrates that very nicely.

Bloementapijt Grote Markt

10. Bloementapijt Grote Markt WLM (Dossid)

At the height of the event, the photographer manages to capture the beautiful carpet of flowers and the historic buildings on Brussels' Grand Place at the same time, clearly. A colourful and radiant photo, taken at an opportune moment from an interesting perspective. The bustle of the picture makes it very interesting. You are encouraged to keep looking at the photo longer, to discover what is reflected in the details. The crowd testifies to the importance of this landmark. The vibrant colours make the photo an attractive image. The radiant flower carpet is unique and an important Brussels intangible heritage that can count on a lot of interest. This photo clearly shows what it is worth! This floral carpet shows just how big Brussels' Grand Place really is. The flowers and the buildings so absorb your attention that the people present only catch your eye at second glance. But of course, they are an inseparable part of the tradition.

Statistics

https://tools.wmflabs.org/glamtools/glamorgan.html

We do have fewer contributions, but the quality is comparable to last year, and the usage grade is systematically raising. In 2018 the European year of heritage attracted more participants.

Year	Images	Used	Percent	Participants
2018	4348	1163	27%	141
2019	1056	321	30%	19
2020	840	329	39%	17
2021	2076	447	21%	37
2022	1248	161	13%	28
2023	1381			63

Round	Selection technique	Participants	Images	Percent	Jurors per photo	Photo's per juror
Contest	physical quality	63	1381	100%
1st round	yes/no	63	1328	96%	8	818
2nd round	score 1-5	33	240	17%	13	240
3rd round	ranking	17	69	5%	13	69
Winners	best image	10	10	1%

Jury

Anja
Elien Doesselaere
Frans Grijzenhout
Geert Van Pamel
Charles Huby

Inge Van der Stighelen
Hakan Tunc
Marthe De Doncker
Kato Masschelein

Sven De Kerpel
Saeid Pourbabak
Sofie Veramme
Selcen Ciftlikci

External links