2025:WikiChoir

The WikiChoir performed two songs at the Wikimania 2025 closing ceremony. Please let us know if you would like to join us next year in Paris!

What is the WikiChoir?

The WikiChoir is an ad-hoc ensemble of amateur musician Wikimedians who came together to sing two East African songs at the Wikimania 2025 closing ceremony. For more information, please see the WikiOrchestra page on Meta.

Why is there a WikiChoir?

Traditionally, the Wikimania opening and closing ceromonies include 'cultural exhibitions' of music and/or dance typical to the location hosting Wikimania that year.

In the collaborative spirit of Wikimania, we wanted to build on the success of the first performance of the WikiOrchestra at Wikimania 2024 in Katowice, which also included a choir, by inviting members of the community to join the WikiChoir to sing an East African song during the closing ceremony.

Historically, Wikimedians have always enjoyed singing – in late-night karaoke sessions as well as in more formal settings. There are even Wikimedian songs. At Wikimania 2008, there was an impromptu Wikimedian choir (video). In 2017, a WikiChoir performed at German-language WikiCon in Leipzig.

With the performance of the WikiChoir, we wanted to honour the hosts of this year's conference, and the great singing traditions of Africa.

What songs did the WikiChoir perform at Wikimania 2025 in Nairobi?

Adam Salim: Malaika (1945), arrangement by Joel Maluki
Them Mushrooms: Jambo Bwana (1982), arrangement by Joel Maluki

Who sang in the WikiChoir?

Joel Maluki – choir director and lead singer
Robbie – pianist and backup singer
Letherian3 – singer choir coordinator
Misosoof – singer and caller in Jambo Bwana
Buszmail – percussion
New York-air – singer
Robertsky – singer
Yuriko Kadokura – singer
Affandy Murad – singer
Mariana Senkiv – singer
Narumi.SBT – singer
OrbiliusMagister – singer
Delphine - notafish – singer
Amr F.Nagy – singer
Nikos Likomitros singer
Najla Khairani Siregar – singer
Ali Khaleel - singer
Carlillasa – singer
Ferfive – singer
DomenikaBo – singer
Elis (WMID) – singer
Fuzheado – singer
1Veertje -– singer
Seddon – singer
Bobbyshabangu – singer
Venzz – singer
Mari Avetisyan – singer
Kelvin onesmo - singer
Lucy Crompton-Reid, Wikimedia UK – singer

Can I join the WikiOrchestra and the WikiChoir next year?

Yes, please! All instruments, abilities, and voices are welcome – you will fit right in! There will be a (short) rehearsal during the conference. Please also let us know ahead of the conference if you want to sing with us so that we can select a suitable piece, and send you the sheet music that meets your skill level.

Documentation

"The conference ended on a joyful note with the WikiChoir performance. For three days, I trained with fellow Wikimedians to sing two songs in Swahili, 'Jambo' and 'Malaika'. This became one of my favorite activities; not only did I learn about Kenyan music and culture, but we also managed to get the entire closing ceremony audience dancing with us."

Mari Avetisyan: Wikimania 2025: A Celebration of People and Connections, Wikimedia Diff blog, 25 August 2025

"I’ll end with perhaps the most unexpected highlight: the WikiChoir. Singing is not my strongest skill, but somehow I found myself joining in. And I’m glad I did. There’s something magical about voices coming together – people from different continents, speaking different languages, united by one song. Even when we don’t always know each other’s local challenges or regional achievements, we are united by the same spirit: the shared dream of expanding free knowledge around the world. Hakuna matata."

Programme submission