GLAM/Newsletter/November 2025/Contents/Czech Republic report
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Czech Radio and Wikimedia CZ launched cooperation
Sounds of Vanished Bells ringed through Czech Republic
The advocacy strategy approved by Wikimedia Czech Republic at the end of 2024 opened up opportunities for partnership with two public media outlets. Czech Television and Czech Radio play a key role in making information and content accessible, so their involvement in Wikimedia projects is indispensable. In cooperation with the Czech Radio archive (Dušan Radovanovič, Tomáš Dufka), the first project was created – Lost Bells. Czech Radio has access to and manages recordings of nearly ninety bells from across the Czech Republic that were requisitioned and melted down during World War II. These recordings, together with descriptions and information, will be uploaded to Wikimedia Commons on the basis of a memorandum and linked to entries for churches or municipalities on Wikipedia. This unique project is a pilot for further cooperation. The Lost Bells project will culminate on October 2, 2025, on International Bell Day. More information can be found on the Czech Radio project page.
Guided tour in the Czech Radio for Wikimedians
Part of the programme and participation was also a guided tour provided by Head of Czech Radio Archive, Tomáš Dufka. Group of Wikimedians joined this tour, which led the group through offices, studios and rooftop view. Last stop was linked to inspiring talk with Miloš Turek, who presented historical formats used for recording of the sounds from 1930's to 1960's. He showed us also precious tapes with the bell sounds, which were digitalised and used for Wikimedia projects as part of the Vanished Bells project.
Partnership of Czech Radio and Wikimedia ČR is a unique type of partnership reaching out from the GLAM partners community. It is well based on initiative of specific representatives of both communities, leading to new plans for cooperation for 2026. All the plans will be presented at the WikiProject site.
