Around 50 new articles in the German-language Wikipedia and 20 articles in the Romansh-language Wikipedia have been created since the GLAM-on-Tour workshop at Disentis Abbey end of February 2026. As a result, the world now knows more about the Surselva, women in Graubünden and the Lukmanier Pass. In addition, several dozen photos were produced to illustrate the articles and published in the freely accessible media database Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia CH is drawing up this report together with the community of volunteer contributors.
GLAM is the Wikimedia programme through which knowledge from ‘Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums’ (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) is made accessible and freely available. From 19 to 22 February 2026, around 30 Wikipedia contributors from Switzerland, Germany and Italy gathered for the three-day workshop. The main topics of their research and article writing were the history and present day of the Benedictine monastery and 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 during the workshop were subsequently completed by the Wikipedians. Now, three months later, the results are encouraging:
- Around 50 new articles in the German-language Wikipedia, including ones on the grammar school, the monastery museum and the radon spring in the village of Disentis. Two new compilation articles on women and on photographers in Graubünden were created, 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.
- Around 20 new articles in the Romansh Wikipedia, including those on the Lukmanier and Brenner passes and on notable figures from the region.
- In the French- and Italian-language Wikipedias, four articles in each were newly written or expanded; in Italian, these included an entry on the naturalist and linguist Father Placidus a Spescha from Trun in Graubünden.
Disentis Abbey, a partner in the event, expressed great satisfaction with the results. “I am particularly pleased that meetings could take place between the contributors and our pupils, along with their IT teacher and other staff members,” says Brother Martin Hieronymi. Two key areas have been pursued further since the workshop: the development of the Romansh Wikipedia and a potential collaboration with the Graubünden Cantonal Photo Foundation. In collaboration with Memoriav, the centre of expertise and network for Switzerland’s audiovisual heritage, the collections of the Disentis Benedictine monk Karl Hager were recently digitised. “It was very positive for us to see that the workshop participants engaged with them,” said Pascal Werner, director of the Photo Foundation.
The successful GLAM-on-Tour event format took place in Switzerland for the first time 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 stop from 8 to 11 October 2026 at 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 kick-off and are hoping that volunteers – encouraged by its success – will share their knowledge and create Wikipedia articles about south-eastern Switzerland, as well as updating and expanding existing ones. Beginners will, of course, be given support.
Read more
Images available on Wikimedia Commons for free use Category:GLAM-on-Tour_Kloster_Disentis_2026