Wikidata is a free and open knowledge base that can be edited by anyone. It aims to provide a centralized storage of structured data that can then be used by Wikipedia, other Wikimedia projects, and external applications. The document outlines Wikidata's purpose of being a centralized location for interwiki links, infobox data, and lists. It also describes how Wikidata structures and links data using RDF triples. Cultural heritage institutions are encouraged to contribute their data to Wikidata to create an open global database and help realize the vision of freely accessible human knowledge.

1. Wikidata + GLAM – A Short Introduction
Beat Estermann, Basel, Swiss GLAM-Wiki Gathering, Basel, 4 December 2018
Bern University of Applied Sciences, E-Government Institute
Johann Rudolf Feyerabend: Basler Totentanz (Ausschnitt), Public Domain.
Unless otherwise noted, the content of these slides is provided under the CC BY 4.0 license.

2. Short Introduction to Wikidata
• What is its purpose?
• How does it work?

3. Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely
share in the sum of all knowledge. That's our commitment.

4. Purpose of Wikidata
• Centralized Interwiki-Links [Example: Bern]
• Centralized Data Management for Infoboxes [Example: Ferdinand de Saussure]
• Centralized Data Management for Lists [Example: Lista de pinturas de A. Norfini]
• Possibility of Querying the Data in a Standardized Format
[Example Queries / External Applications]
« The Sum of All Human Knowledge» as Linked Open Data
 Multilingual
 With Sourced Statements
 Freely usable by anyone (CC Zero)

5. Structure of Wikidata – RDF Triples
Bern Switzerlandis the capital of
Subject Predicate Object
Switzerland capital Bern
Predicate ObjectSubject
Switzerland
Subject
is a
Predicate
Country
Object
instance
class
property
instance
instance
property
Switzerland
Subject
GDP
Predicate
518 Mia. $ value
property
instance
point in time 2015 value
qualifier

6. Structure of Wikidata – Linked Data
Subject Predicate Object
Bern
(Q70)
is a
(P31 - instance of)
municipality of Switzerland
(Q70208)
Bern
(Q70)
is the capital of
(P1376 - is the capital of)
Switzerland
(Q39)
Berlin
(Q64)
is a
(P31 - instance of)
municipality of Germany
(Q262166)
Berlin
(Q64)
is the capital of
(P1376 - is the capital of)
Germany
(Q183)
Switzerland
(Q39)
is a
(P31 - instance of)
country
(Q6256)
Germany
(Q183)
is a
(P31 - instance of)
country
(Q6256)
municipality of Switzerland
(Q70208)
is a subclass of
(P279 - subclass of)
municipality
(Q15284)
municipality of Germany
(Q262166)
is a subclass of
(P279 - subclass of)
municipality
(Q15284)
Bern Switzerlandis the capital of
Subject Predicate Object
URI
URI URI

7. The Same Data in Graph View
Bern Berlin
municipality of
Switzerland
municipality of
Germany
GermanySwitzerland
country
municipality
P31 – instance ofP31 – instance of
P31 – instance of P31 – instance of
P1376 – is the capital ofP1376 – is the capital of
P279 – subclass of P279 – subclass of

8. Structure of a Wikidata Entry
Douglas
Adams Jane Belsonspouse
Subject
Predicate
Object
start / end time 25 Nov. 1991 – 11 May 2001
Ref.

9. Wikidata + Heritage Data:
A Short Introduction

10. • Establish Wikidata as a database that covers the entire world’s cultural
heritage.
• Establish Wikidata as a central hub that interlinks GLAM collections
around the world; and provides links to bibliographic, genealogic,
scientifc and other collections of information; create the ultimate
authority file.
• Foster truly multilingual and global collaboration among people from
various backgrounds.
• Leverage synergies between institutions, reduce duplicate work.
• Encourage debate in the community by highlighting and interrogating
differences in perspective.
• Provide a single source of data for some of the most popular web
sites and apps, including Wikipedia infoboxes and lists.
Vision (Blog posts: Stinson et al. 2016; Thornton / Cochrane 2016; Poulter 2017)

11. Thematic Projects
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:WikiProject_Cultural_heritage [Example]

12. Core Processes of Data Ingestion and Use
Source of the graphic: eCH-0205 – Linked Open Data

13. Wikidata + Performing Arts

14. • Realize an international performing arts database on the
basis of Wikidata
• Provide a powerful finding aid for performing arts related content
on Wikimedia Commons and elsewhere
• Promote Wikidata-powered performing arts related information
on various information platforms, including Wikipedia
• Get heritage institutions to make their performing arts related
data and content available through Wikidata, Wikimedia
Commons & other inter-connected platforms.
Vision: International Database for the Performing Arts
Role Model Projects for Inspiration:
• MusicBrainz (music recordings)
• IMDb (movies)
• IMSLP (music scores)
• Operabase (opera)

15. Wikidata Item Statistics
Source: Wikidata – WikiProject Performing Arts (3 December 2018)
Pilot Ingest
Schauspielhaus
Jan 18
Wikipedia Import
Operas / Roles / Arias
June 18
?
?
Ingest Flanders
Arts Institute
Fall 18
?

16. Current Challenges
Source of the graphic: eCH-0205 – Linked Open Data
Data
scraping &
cleansing
Data Ingest (data
mapping &
matching) Data
Modelling
Issues
✔ ✔

17. Wikidata, Wikipedia, Wikimedia
Commons
• Complementary data (artists, works,
etc.)
• Potential for crowdsourcing / community-
sourcing certain aspects of data
maintenance
• Application of the data model in an
international context
• Visibility, exposure of performing arts
related information
Swiss Performing Arts Platform
• Plenty of performance data from
Switzerland
• Comprehensive data model for the
performing arts domain
• Plenty of know-how and source material
in the area of the performing arts
• Digital content (in the longer term, due to
copyright issues)
Areas for Cooperation
• Mutual interlinking of data & content
• Community building and outreach to further data providers
• Establishing a widely accepted data modelling practice in the area of the performing arts
• Organization of editathons and similar community events

18. Thank You for Your Attention!
Contact
Beat Estermann
Bern University of Applied Sciences
beat.estermann@bfh.ch
+41 31 848 34 38