GLAM/Newsletter/September 2025/Contents/Macedonia report
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Expanding Access to Culture and Knowledge through Key Partnerships
As part of its ongoing efforts to promote free and open access to knowledge, Wikimedia MKD continues to strengthen collaborations with cultural and educational institutions. Through its GLAM programs, two recent initiatives highlight this mission in action: a partnership with the “Manaki Brothers” International Film Festival as part of the Wiki Loves Film initiative, and the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Skopje.
Wiki Loves Film – Collaboration with "Manaki brothers" Film Festival
As part of the GLAM program of Wikimedia MKD, and within the framework of the international Wiki Loves Film initiative, Orce Nineski, Coordinator for Cooperation with Cultural Institutions, participated in the “Manaki Brothers” International Film Festival, held in Bitola from September 20 to 26, 2025.
The purpose of this activity was to document one of the most important cultural events in Macedonia and to contribute to the Wikimedia projects with freely licensed visual content related to film and cinematography. The "Manaki Brothers" festival, as the oldest and most renowned film festival in the country, attracts filmmakers, artists, and media from across the region and beyond.
Throughout the festival, Mr. Nineski photographed various aspects of the event, including:
- Opening and closing ceremonies
- Red carpet arrivals
- Special guests and award winners
- Screenings, public programs, and cultural performances
A total of 242 photographs were taken and uploaded to Wikimedia Commons under a free license, making them available for use across Wikipedia, Wikidata, and other Wikimedia platforms, as well as for the general public. These images enrich the documentation of the event and increase the visibility of Macedonian film culture within the global Wikimedia system.
This activity supports the goals of both the GLAM program and the Wiki Loves Film initiative by promoting open access to cultural heritage and strengthening collaboration between Wikimedia communities and cultural institutions in the field of cinema and the arts.
Memorandum for collaboration with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Skopje
On October 7, Wikimedia MKD and the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje formally signed a Memorandum for collaboration, establishing a strategic partnership aimed at fostering the development of education, scientific research, and the promotion of free and open access to knowledge.
This agreement outlines a framework for long-term collaboration, where both institutions will work closely to integrate digital tools, open educational resources, and innovative approaches within the academic environment. The partnership is founded on a shared commitment to enhance the quality, accessibility, and reliability of educational content available to students, researchers, and the wider public.
The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from both organizations. Wikimedia MKD was represented by Executive Director Snežana Štrkovska, Coordinator for Cooperation with Cultural Institutions Orce Nineski, and Educational Program Manager Bosa Filipović. From the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dean Prof. Dr. Davorin Trpeski highlighted the significance of this collaboration as a vital opportunity to bridge the academic community with the global open knowledge movement. He emphasized the potential for this partnership to stimulate research and educational activities grounded in openness, transparency, and accessibility.
The Memorandum of collaboration paves the way for future joint initiatives, including the development of educational programs, digital projects, and research collaborations. Both parties expressed optimism that these efforts will contribute positively not only to the academic community and students but also to society at large by fostering a culture of open and shared knowledge.
This partnership reflects the mutual values and vision of Wikimedia MKD and the Faculty, aiming to support an inclusive learning environment where knowledge is freely accessible and collaboratively developed.
