This November, Leeuwarden welcomed students and teachers from Ireland and the Basque Country for an extraordinary week of learning and connection. As part of the WikiWomen project, the Wikithon Fryslân 2024 brought participants together to uncover Frisian history, culture, and the impactful roles of women throughout time. Be sure to check out the special song and aftermovie created just for this project! The song, with its memorable chorus “Ien foar allen & allen foar ien,” was a highlight of the week. Students translated the lyrics into their own minority languages and sang it together during the final evening!
Celebrating Women in the Alvestêdetocht The journey began with a visit to Tresoar, Friesland’s archive, where students & teachers explored historical texts and discussed how authors shape perceptions of women, both past and present. After lunch, journalist and ice skater Jessica Merkens shared insights from her book about women who braved the Alvestêdetocht. The day ended on a high note as students and teachers laced up their skates and took to the ice themselves.
Stories of Women and the Sea On Wednesday, the group traveled to Dokkum to delve into the maritime history of Frisian skippers’ wives. At Museum Dokkum, author Sippy Tigchelaar illuminated the lives of these women, sparking engaging conversations about their influence. The day continued with the WikiWomen event at the Stadskas in Leeuwarden, followed by dinner and an Edit-a-Thon where participants transformed ideas into Wikipedia entries.
Immersed in Frisian Culture Culture took the spotlight on Thursday as the group visited a high school in Burgum, where they participated in interactive sessions. A lunch of traditional Dutch and Frisian dishes prepared by students set the tone for the afternoon. At Museum Scherjon, participants embraced Frisian traditions, from fierljeppen (pole vaulting) to crafting wooden clogs. The day concluded with an evening at ‘The Friezinn,’ featuring a lively pub quiz, music, and the much-anticipated performance of the WikiWomen song by all students, teachers, and partners, creating a joyful and memorable end to the week.
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