Dear friends in cuteness,
What is the expected representation of our illustrious association at Wikimania this year? Let folks accompanying members of the Wikimedia Cuteness Association post a brief introduction, and perhaps say something about their expected cute participation in this year's event.
Cancunchyk the Turtle[1] is here in Montreal, with me as amanuensis. Cancunchyk has been participating in the WCA's first-ever Cuteness Exchange Program, and has been traveling with me this past year, since Wikimania in Esino Lario in 2016. He has had occasion to supervise my talks and activities in events such as the Wikimedia CEE Meeting in Armenia, WikiConference India, WikiIndaba in Ghana, the Wikimedia Conference in Berlin, WikiConference Bulgaria, WikiConference Czech Republic, and even met a US Ambassador and was instrumental in sensitive talks with the Turkish government in a (so far unsuccessful) effort to remove the block from Wikipedia in Turkey.
My usual travel companion, Shaxal the Lion[2], has had the benefit of WMF Board member Nataliia Tymkiv serving as his amanuensis since Esino Lario, and is expected to attend -- and, indeed, supervise -- the WMF Board of Trustees meeting this year.
At the conclusion of Wikimania, Shaxal's and Cancunchyk's exchange program would end, and they will work together[3] on publishing a report on the Cuteness Exchange Program, which they hope to see replicated across the cuteness movement.
Finally, I believe I have spotted *prospective member* Pushynochka's amanuensis in the lobby today, and since Shaxal and Cancunchyk have already conducted a membership interview with Pushynochka in Esino Lario[4], this event would be a good opportunity to formally induct Pushynochka to the WCA.
Yours in cuteness,
Asaf
[1] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cancunchyk.jpg [2] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shaxal_(cropped).jpg [3] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shaxal_and_Cancunchyk.jpg [4] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shaxal_and_Cancunchyk_interviewing_P...