Belgian gin distilleries as linked open data on Wikimedia platforms
Belgium boasts a rich history of gin production, with the distilled spirit flowing through our regions for over 500 years. Many distilleries that have left their mark on Belgian gin heritage have now – regrettably – disappeared. Fortunately, however, the Jenever Museum in Hasselt holds a wealth of knowledge – although this unique information remains largely hidden from the public eye. To make gin heritage as accessible as possible and increase the online visibility of Belgian gin distilleries, we are therefore assisting the Jenever Museum in publishing their data as linked open data (LOD) on Wikimedia platforms.
Challenge
As a centre of expertise on gin and distilled spirits, the Jenever Museum possesses extensive knowledge about defunct distilleries. But this knowledge is fragmented in its management and preservation, and not easily discoverable, searchable or accessible to the general public.
With the help of Wikimedia platforms, the Jenever Museum is aiming to make this industrial and agricultural heritage widely accessible, and connect it with as many other collections and source materials as possible. A data profile is therefore being developed to register the information uniformly and in a structured manner. Metadata on 250 Belgian distilleries is also being published as linked open data on Wikidata, and a selection of (disappeared) distilleries is being made available through Wikipedia.
Our Role
As a partner in this project, we take on a supportive and advisory role. We’re sitting on the advisory board and providing the Jenever Museum with guidance and advice, including assistance with:
publishing data on Wikimedia platforms
developing the data profile;
content preparation for Wikipedia writing sessions.
We’re also on hand to respond to public enquiries related to this project. You can read more about this advisory service here.
Pictured: Postcard from Distillerie de Luxembourg in Bastogne, ca. 1906-1930, Jenever Museum collection, public domain.
Approach
This project is conceived in three phases.
Phase 1: selection and design of work processes (1 September 2021 - 31 August 2022)
We started by designing the working process. Then we selected 250 distilleries for inclusion on Wikipedia and started developing the data profile began – to enable uniform and structured recording of information about the distilleries on Wikidata.
Phase 2: uniform registration and publication on wikidata (1 September 2022 - 31 August 2023)
The final touches were put on the data profile in this phase. All metadata about the 250 selected distilleries was published on Wikidata, and numerous copyright-free images from the Jenever Museum’s collection were uploaded to Wikimedia Commons. These metadata and images will serve as source material for the Wikipedia writing sessions in phase 3. As a starting point for these sessions, we set up a project page on Wikipedia with guides, a bibliographic list and an overview of the distilleries.
Phase 3: Wikipedia writing sessions and building a community (1 September 2023 - 31 August 2024)
In this phase, the stories of the distilleries will be crafted into Wikipedia articles, based on the information from Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons. We have planned collaborations with various heritage societies to organise writing sessions at various locations and engage local volunteers. Journalism students from PXL University College in Hasselt will also be contributing in one of these sessions. In total, around ten writing sessions or distill-a-thons will be organised at the Jenever Museum and strategic locations in Belgium, in conjunction with the Wikipedia community and with the help of many enthusiastic volunteers. Interested in participating? Click here for an overview of the writing sessions (link in Dutch).
The project is aiming to build an (online) Wikimedia community of volunteers through the writing sessions, creating a gin heritage network. Upon completion, the participatory methodology will also be integrated into the Hasselt Museums’ operations.
Pictured: Poster for distill-a-thons at the Jenever Museum, license: CC0.
Translation of text on poster (see above):
Distill-a-thons in the Jenever Museum Want to contribute to writing Wikipedia articles?
Together, we are putting Belgian distilleries digitally on the map. Take part in one or more writing sessions and learn how to get started with Wikipedia yourself.
Register soon!
Partners
