Previously, I had attended several Wikimedia events in the ESEAP (East, Southeast Asia, and Pacific) region, such as the ESEAP Conference in Kota Kinabalu in 2024 and the ESEAP Strategy Summit 2025. At the ESEAP Conference in Kota Kinabalu, I was only familiar with the Kent Wiki Club, which is part of the Wikimedia Community User Group Malaysia. Therefore, I wasn’t entirely sure what my role would be. However, with the help of the organizers—and since Kota Kinabalu was the host city—I participated as a translator for the Kadazandusun language. At that time, I was grateful to have received full sponsorship. Similarly, at the 2025 ESEAP Strategy Summit held in Manila, I mostly served as an observer. Back then, I still felt shy and lacked the confidence to approach others. I had many questions I wanted to ask, but sometimes shyness made me choose to just listen. I saw the Wikimedia community as a large one, with many experienced contributors. I admired the passion of the Wikimedians, but I still felt small within that community. However, Wikimania Paris 2026 provided a different experience.
I came as a participant, but I left as part of the community
Before this, I viewed the conference as a place to attend sessions, listen to presentations, and take home new knowledge. However, during my time in Paris, I began to realize that Wikimania isn’t just about the sessions held in the conference halls. Behind every presentation and Wikimedia project are people with their own stories, experiences, and passions. I began to muster the courage to interact with other participants. I spoke with people from various countries, listened to their experiences, and shared a bit about my journey as a Wikimedian from Sabah involved in Wikimedia. Rather than just observing this community from the outside, I began to feel that my own experiences also had a place here.
A trial is not just about science, but about people
One of the most important things I learned at Wikimania Paris was the value of the connections made throughout the event. I used to think that the success of attending a conference lay in gaining as much knowledge as possible from the sessions. But in Paris, I realized that casual conversations, new encounters, and the relationships formed were also among the most meaningful parts of the experience. Every person I met had a different story to tell. Some had been contributing to Wikimedia for a long time, some worked in specific fields, and others, like me, were still learning and figuring out how to contribute. Although we came from different countries and cultures, we shared one common belief: that knowledge should be shared openly.
The moment that made me feel accepted
One of my most vivid memories from Wikimania Paris 2026 was when I joined the WikiChoir.
Standing in front of the Wikimedia community from around the world and singing with them gave me a feeling that’s hard to describe. At first, I came to Wikimania as someone who wanted to learn from this community. But by then, I no longer felt like a guest. I stood alongside them. I sang with them. I became a part of them. That moment made me realize that the Wikimedia community isn’t just about edits, articles, or digital projects. It’s also about people who share the same passion and give each other space to grow.
That feeling grew even stronger during the farewell ceremony. When it came time to say goodbye to friends I’d just met, I didn’t expect to feel so emotional. Even though we were together for only a short time, the experiences we shared made those connections feel meaningful. Watching one person after another say “bye” and leave the venue made me realize that Wikimania isn’t just an event we attend, but an experience that leaves a lasting impression.
(BugWarp, CC BY-SA 4.0)
This experience didn’t end in Paris
In the past, I might have viewed the opportunity to attend an international event as a personal achievement. However, after Wikimania Paris 2026, I began to see it as a responsibility. This experience shouldn’t end when I leave Paris. Instead, the knowledge, inspiration, and enthusiasm I’ve gained need to be brought back to the community in Malaysia. I want to share that anyone can be part of the Wikimedia movement. You don’t have to start with something big. Sometimes, a small edit, a shared image, or a tip shared with someone else can also make a difference.
Looking at Wikipedia from a New Perspective
After Wikimania Paris 2026, I no longer see Wikipedia as just a website. Now I see it as the result of human effort. Behind every article is a contributor who has dedicated their time. Behind every image is someone who wants to share a story. Behind every Wikimedia project is a community that believes knowledge should be accessible to everyone. From someone who used to be more of a silent observer, I’m now more confident in participating, sharing my experiences, and continuing to contribute to this community. Because ultimately, Wikimania isn’t just about the place we go to, but about who we become after that experience. Thank you, Wikimania Paris 2026!
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