Embassies sponsor article-writing contests in three languages

From April 4 to May 4 2009 a competition in writing Norway-related articles was held in the Estonian language version of the international on-line encyclopedia Wikipedia, written by volunteers. The competition was supported by the Norwegian Embassy to Estonia. At the same time, a parallel competition for writing Estonia-related articles ran in the Hovudside Nynorsk and Hovedside Bokmål versions of Wikipedia, supported by the Estonian Embassy to Norway.

This is the first time that embassies have supported a competition in Wikipedia. The original idea of the competition came from Mr Ulf Larsen, who works in Norway and lives in Estonia.

Over the course of the competition, 216 new articles on Estonia were written in Bokmål and 202 new articles were written in Nynorsk. Forty users of the Estonian Wikipedia managed to write or edit 768 articles in one month. 623 of those articles were written from scratch during this competition. This great number was very surprising for the jury.

Most articles written in the Estonian language concern the geography and history of Norway. There was also interest in Norwegian literature, art and cinema.

Three of the winners of the Norwegian part of the competition, at the Estonian embassy in Oslo, from right to left Finn Bjørklid from Wikimedia Norway, ambassador Arti Hilpus, prize winner Jpfagerback, prizewinner Naunet, first secretary Leena Prozes, main prize winner Bjoertvedt and Ulf Larsen

Winners in Estonian language version of Wikipedia:

Metsavend, main prize

Geonarva, special prize for geography of Norway

WooteleF, special prize for cultural heritage and history of Norway

Mona, special prize for culture of Norway

Changeant, special prize for a newcomer

Winners in the Norwegian Nynorsk version of Wikipedia:

Eirik, main prize, for the article about Estland Estonia

Frokor, best extended article

Egil Arne, best new contributor

Winners in the Norwegian Bokmål/Riksmål version of Wikipedia:

Bjoertvedt, main prize, for the article about Estonia's economy

Orzada, best extended article, History of Estonia

Harald Hansen, best extended article, Estonia's defence

Naunet, best new contributor, Estonian song festival

Fredag25, best new contributor, Erkki-Sven Tüür

Jpfagerback and Orzada, best co-operated article, Estonia's foreign relations

Embassies sponsor article-writing contests in three languages

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