From 21-28 June 2016, the small village of Esino Lario in northern Italy, which numbers 760 inhabitants, hosted the 12th International Convention of Wikipedia, the Internet’s best loved and most visited encyclopedia. About 700 Wikipedians from 54 different countries gathered in the little town on the shore of Lake Como to discuss the subjects most important to this monumental information tool to which everyone is free to contribute, and to also share moments of relaxation in this beautiful pre-Alpine region.
When the inhabitants of Esino Lario heard that their town had been chosen as the Convention site over its biggest rival (Manila, Philippines), they poured all their energy and creativity into producing miracles of hospitality. Almost all the citizens opened their homes to the many participants unable to find rooms in the local hotels, and local authorities allowed the events of the program to spill over into all the town’s streets and public squares. “We never could have done it if our citizens hadn’t been so willing to collaborate with this event by generously taking in guests and volunteering to help out in various ways,” said Mayor Pietro Pensa.