Commons:Wiki Loves Folklore 2026 in Armenia
Wiki Loves Folklore 2026 in Armenia is a local initiative contributing to the international Wiki Loves Folklore campaign on Wikimedia Commons. The project encourages photographers across Armenia to document living traditions, cultural practices, and intangible heritage, and to share this documentation under free licenses for educational and public use.
The initiative is coordinated locally by 22photopat (Yerevan) to support participation, provide guidance on Wikimedia contribution, and foster collaboration between photographers, cultural practitioners, and the open-knowledge community.
Through this effort, Armenian cultural heritage becomes part of a global, freely accessible archive that helps preserve and share traditions with future generations.
Everyone is welcome to contribute photographs, videos, and audio recordings that reflect the living folklore of Armenia.
What to Photograph
Participants are invited to document elements of Armenia’s intangible cultural heritage as they are practiced in everyday life. Submissions should reflect authentic cultural expression rather than staged or commercial photography.
Suitable subjects
- Traditional crafts and artisans at work (carpet weaving, pottery, woodworking, metalwork)
- Preparation of traditional foods and culinary practices such as lavash baking
- Folk music, dance, and performances in their natural cultural settings
- Local celebrations, rituals, and community gatherings
- Traditional clothing (taraz) worn in real cultural or ceremonial contexts
- Seasonal customs, village life, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing
- Cultural practices connected to landscapes, agriculture, or historic environments
- Markets, fairs, and communal spaces where traditions are maintained
Not encouraged
Photographs that depict highly staged scenes, studio productions, or images with excessive digital manipulation.
How to Participate
- Take photos or videos of Armenian folklore, traditions, daily heritage, crafts, or cultural activities.
- Go to the Upload Wizard.
- Add a descriptive title and context.
- Upload under a free license such as CC BY-SA 4.0.
Everyone is welcome!
Share Armenia’s Living Heritage
Upload your photographs documenting Armenia’s living traditions and take part in the international Wiki Loves Folklore 2026 campaign.
Upload Guidelines
When uploading files, please ensure that:
- The photograph was taken by you.
- No visible watermarks, logos, or signatures are added.
- Only light editing is applied (color correction is acceptable; heavy retouching is discouraged).
- The description explains what cultural activity is shown.
- The location (village, town, or region) is included when possible.
- A free license such as CC BY-SA 4.0 is selected.
These requirements help ensure the images can be used for educational and documentation purposes across Wikimedia projects.
Upload Instructions
- When uploading files, please:
- Use your own photographs
- Do not add watermarks
- Avoid excessive retouching
- Provide accurate descriptions in Armenian or English
- Select a free license (CC BY-SA 4.0 recommended)
Jury & Local Recognition
Selected works will be featured in a local exhibition hosted by 22photopat to highlight contributors documenting Armenian cultural heritage. (This local recognition is separate from the international Wiki Loves Folklore judging process.)
Local Activities in Armenia
To support participation, local activities are being facilitated in Yerevan by 22photopat, including:
- An open call for photographers
- Introductory sessions on contributing to Wikimedia Commons
- Guidance on metadata and cultural documentation
- Community meetups and knowledge exchange
These activities are intended to help contributors successfully participate in the international Wiki Loves Folklore campaign.
Why Document Folklore?
Folklore represents living heritage — traditions, skills, and expressions passed between generations. Many of these practices are under-documented visually.
By contributing photographs to Wikimedia Commons, participants help create an open cultural archive that supports research, education, and global understanding of Armenia’s cultural diversity.
Local Contact
For questions about participation in Armenia, contributors may contact the local coordination team:
Useful Links
This contact is provided only to assist contributors with participation and uploading.