More than 70 new Wikipedia articles after workshop at Disentis Monastery
Since the GLAM-on-Tour workshop at Disentis Monastery, around 50 new articles in the German-language Wikipedia and 20 articles in the Romansh-language Wikipedia have been newly created. As a result, the world now knows more about the Surselva, women in Graubünden, and the Lukmanier Pass. In addition, several dozen photographs were produced for illustration purposes and published in the freely accessible media database Wikimedia Commons. This report was compiled by Wikimedia CH together with the community of volunteer contributors.
GLAM is the Wikimedia programme through which knowledge from “Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums” is made accessible and freely available. From 19 to 22 February 2026, around 30 Wikipedia editors from Switzerland, Germany and Italy gathered for the three-day GLAM-workshop. The main topics of their research and article writing were the history and current situation of the Benedictine monastery as well as the Surselva region. In addition, they were able to take part in guided tours of the monastery, including the museum, visit the Caplutta Sogn Benedetg (Chapel of St. Benedict), and attend lectures and presentations. Among the guests was Pascal Werner, Director of the Graubünden Photo Foundation.
The articles that were started in the workshop were subsequently completed by the Wikipedians. Now, three months later, the results are very encouraging:
- Around 50 new articles in the German-language Wikipedia, including entries on the grammar school (Gymnasium), the monastery museum, and the radon source in the village of Disentis. Two new overview articles were created, on women and on photographers in Graubünden, and around 30 existing articles were expanded, including those on the Benedictine monk and naturalist Karl Hager, the Lukmanier Pass, and the Caplutta Sogn Benedetg.
- About 20 new articles in the Romansh Wikipedia, including entries on the Lukmanier and Brenner passes and on notable figures from the region.
- In both the French- and Italian-language Wikipedias, four articles each were rewritten or expanded, including in Italian an article on the naturalist and linguist Father Placidus a Spescha from Trun in Graubünden.
The Disentis Monastery, partner of the event, expressed great satisfaction with the results. “I am particularly pleased that encounters could take place between contributors and our students, their computer science teacher, and other teaching staff,” says Brother Martin Hieronymi. Two important topics have been pursued further since the workshop: The development of the Romansch Wikipedia as well as a possible cooperation with the Graubünden Photography Foundation. In cooperation with Memoriav, the competence centre and network for Switzerland’s audiovisual heritage, the holdings of the Disentist Benedictine priest Karl Hager were recently digitised. “It was very positive for us to see that the workshop participants engaged with these archival collections,” said Pascal Werner, director of the Photography Foundation.
The successful event format GLAM-on-Tour was held for the first time in Switzerland in 2016 at the Kirchner Museum in Davos. Its tenth anniversary this year joins other anniversaries – 25 years of Wikipedia and 20 years of Wikimedia CH. It will continue with the next edition from 8 to 11 October 2026 in Prangins Castle (VD). In collaboration with the Swiss National Museum, the focus will then be on Swiss cultural and social history.
Wikimedia CH and the community of volunteers see the event in Disentis as a starting point and hope for volunteers who – encouraged by its success – will share their knowledge and also create Wikipedia articles around South-East Switzerland or update and expand existing ones. Newcomers will of course receive support.
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Images available on Wikimedia Commons for free use Category:GLAM-on-Tour_Kloster_Disentis_2026