2027:Expressions of Interest/UNESCO World Heritage Site: Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen, Germany
Expression of interest: Germany
[edit | edit source]Abstract/description
[edit | edit source]Not since Esino Lario has a Wikimania been imbedded in the cultural surrounding of the hosting city or country.
What good is it to ship people from all over the Globe, around this very Globe to cramp them into a Convention Hall setting that is interchangeable wherever on the Globe this should be.
Appart from the valuable exchanges about what we do and want to do in the Wikiverse in our respective countries, I believe that the people travelleing to a specific destination should have a chance to see and learn about the specific history and culture of their host.
The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex allows this even for those that will only be able to stay for the time of the conference itself.
Has a Wikimania ever been hosted right in the middle of a World Heritage Site?
The Complex is a huge former Coal Mine and Coking Complex that has been preserved in the state of its decommissioning. But it has also been converted into a big Cultural Event Location with museums, auditoriums, convention halls, etc.
It is home of the Ruhr Museum, the Red Dot-Design Museum. The Design Campus of the Folkwang University of Arts is located on the premises.
It is in the center of the Ruhr-Area of Germany. We have a very active Community of Wikipedians in the area: Stammtisch Ruhrgebiet, so I am hoping to create an "Adobt a visiting Wikimedian" Programm for those visitors from abroad who will have the chance to arrive early, or leave later, to be shown around the area, and to see even more and and get to know the people and tastes of the area.
Organizers
[edit | edit source]This is my unique vision as a single Winkimedian of nearly 20 years. User:Wuselig
I will and cannot do this alone. But as stated above there is a large local community.
The German community as a whole community is a large one and we have been organizing events from small local Stammtische, thru GLAM-events to WikiCons for years.
And there is WMDE. From my experience as an Organizer of smaller events they have the resources to support even the craziest idea, if it is submitted with enough determination to get things done.
Requirements
[edit | edit source]Interested community groups do not need to have a venue selected, contracts drafted or sponsors lined up. This is why we are starting the process early. Please provide solid information about the points below to help our decision making. We will be taking into account various factors about potential sites and hosts especially the cost, location sustainability, accessibility, security, global rotation of Wikimania, and the capacity of the organizing team.
Venue + lodging
[edit | edit source]- There are rooms and locations from class-room size to large auditoriums all over the location. These belong to various organizers and players, so lead-time to coordinate is essential.
- There is a hotel even on the premessis, but other hotels are available in Essen and Gelsenkirchen with easy public transportation access.
Travel + visas
[edit | edit source]- see travel regulations for Germany
- Düsseldorf is the closest international airport, less than one hour travel time from the venue
- Essen is a main travel hub on the German railway system
Facilities + services
[edit | edit source]- There is an organization managing the location: https://www.zollverein.de/zollverein-unesco-world-heritage-site/
- Catering can be organized with them or be organized by local caterers
Safety + security
[edit | edit source]- The site is open to the public. And it and the museums will be shared with the public. Which, see my opening statement, is an asset rather than a liabilty. We are an open project and we should not shut ourselves up in closed convention centers.
- On the other hand, our actual working areas, class-rooms, auditoriums, catering areas, can be closed up for authorized use only
Alternate locations
[edit | edit source]- Not really, since THIS location is the raison d' etre
Hybrid format and remote participation
[edit | edit source]- There is sufficient know how available in the meantime as other events I have attended that were organized with the help of WMDE that have proven that this can be done well, and that they have become more efficient wit ech new event
Time
[edit | edit source]- August/September as has been customary with past Wikimanias should suit well.
- If we are going to use any facilities of the Folkwang University we would have to check if this will be during their schhol holidays
Additional
[edit | edit source]Any other details that you think would be helpful for the Wikimania Steering Committee.