User:Jean-Frédéric/Signpost/Versailles

The Palace of Versailles opens its doors to a Wikimedian for a six-months residence

The doors of Versailles wide-opened for Wikipedia – Royal arms of France on the central golden gate of Versailles

As part of a partnership with Wikimedia France, the Palace of Versailles announced last week they welcome a "Wikimedian in Residence" during six months. The Palace, a royal château near Paris, was the residence of the Kings of France from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until October 1789 with the beginning of the French Revolution. The Palace and its Park are viewed as an architectural masterpiece and a historical symbol strongly associated with the Monarchy. As such, it is listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

How the collaboration started

Following the partnership established by Wikimédia France with the City of Toulouse, Adrienne Alix, chair of the French chapter, was contacted by Laurent Gaveau, Deputy Director of Information and Communication of the Palace of Versailles. Gaveau was interested in building something with the Wikimedia projects. He came to the Rencontres Wikimédia in December 2010 and met Benoît Evellin (User:Trizek) with whom he discussed the idea of bringing together Versailles and Wikimedia. Inspired by Liam Wyatt's past residence at the British Museum last year (see Signpost coverage), the project quickly settled around a Wikimedian in Residence, to be during six months "the interface between the scientific staff of the Palace and the editor communities".

Contents and possible outcomes

According to Laurent Gaveau, they realised Wikipedia, the second source of information about the Palace, could not be ignored. He stated that they found the articles numerous and of a good quality. "Thus, this is not about correcting them strictly speaking, but going into the subject in greater depth. And especially, providing these Versailles enthusiasts who edit Wikipedia with first-hand material". He mentions, as possible activities, taking photos to illustrate article, consulting archives or discussing with curators.

Benoît, who recently celebrated his 1000th day as a Wikipedian, is an administrator on the French-language Wikipedia and a member of the chapter. Active in helping newcomers learn about Wikipedia (as part of the Service de Parrainage Actif, equivalent of the Adopt-a-user program), he is also one of the leaders of a WikiProject dedicated to cultural heritage buildings. Incidentally, the Versailles domain contains many of such protected monuments. He will be undertaking this residence as part of his studies, since the residence "is [his] final training period for [his] master degree in cultural mediation". As such, "the Palace of Versailles gives me the legal compensation for a training period".

Press coverage and community reactions

This partnership was described as the end of the Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns – Allegory of Peace at the entrance to the palace

The official announcement was made on Tuesday, February 15th, with a press release which was picked up in many media outlets (including Le Monde). Since then, Wikipedia and the partnership are featured on the front page of the Palace of Versailles website.

Early feedback from the French-speaking community was very positive. A mere few hours after the announcement on the Village Pump was kicked off a WikiProject dedicated to the Palace, and a Portal quickly followed. The editor who created both pages stated that "if it is announced everywhere (and it is!) that a partnership between Wikipedia and the Palace of Versailles is going to happen, then we have to prove now our capacity to set up a discussion space for coordinating such a project". Benoît also outreaches to Wikimedia Commons, and the English-language Wikipedia.

A contributor voiced their concerns about the risk of original research, fearing that the Wikimedian in residence or Versailles experts who could contribute to articles might be tempted to add true but unverifiable facts. Benoît reassured him, stating that "I do not plan to go evangelizing people around by shouting "Edit, edit!". I am here to teach people how to edit Wikipedia well, the same way I strive to teach newbies while patrolling. Among other things, I am working to explain that every piece of information must have one verifiable source. The Five Pillars were presented, and they will be again".

Asked about its first week, Benoît tells the Signpost it were busy days:

"Interview, press reporting, presentation of the partnership on WPfr, WPen and Commons. I have not visited the palace yet!"