maribor-pohorje-world-bee-day
Photo credit: Verus

BACKGROUND OF THE 1st WORLD BEE DAY

In 2014, the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association launched the proposal that WORLD BEE DAY be celebrated. The World Bee Day initiative was supported by the Republic of Slovenia and backed by Apimondia, the beekeepers’ umbrella association. The Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association says on its website that bees, as pollinators, play an important role for humankind in terms of providing food, food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and a healthy environment.

maribor-pohorje-world-bee-day
Photo credit: Verus

On 20 December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly finally declared 20 May as World Bee Day. Every year on this day, the attention of the global public will be drawn to the importance of preserving bees and other pollinators. People will be reminded of the importance of bees for the entire humanity and invited to take concrete action to preserve and protect them and their habitats.

»Bees and other pollinators finally have the place they deserve in view of their importance for the world, for sustainable development and the future of humanity,« sad Dejan Židan, head of the World Bee Day project and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia.

WHY MAY?

Slovenia proposed the celebration of World Bee Day in the month of May, when bees in the northern hemisphere are most active and begin to reproduce. This is also the period in which the need for pollination is greatest. In the southern hemisphere it is autumn, a time for harvesting bee products and days and weeks of honey.

maribor-pohorje-world-bee-day
Photo credit: Verus

AND WHY MAY 20?

The chosen day, 20 May, is also the birthday of Slovenian beekeeper Anton Janša (1734–1773), a pioneer of modern beekeeping and one of the greatest experts in this field in his day. He was the first teacher of modern beekeeping anywhere in the world, appointed by the Empress Maria Theresa as a permanent teacher at the new beekeeping school in Vienna.

maribor-pohorje-world-bee-day
Photo credit: Verus

CELEBRATIONS IN MARIBOR - 18 MAY 2018

Slovenia is one of many world’s countries preparing for the first celebration of World Bee Day. The preparations involve numerous organisers of events which will take place around 20 May. To mark the 1st World Bee Day and the birth of Anton Janša, the City of Maribor prepares a guided tour of Maribor on 18 May 2018. The tour will be held in Slovene as well as in English language.

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Photo credit: Maribor Pohorje Tourist Board

After the guided tour, the president of Beekeepers’ Association of Maribor Associations, Vlado Vogrinec, will present the historical development of beekeeping in the region. During the day, on the Leon Štukelj Square (Trg Leona Štuklja), the beekeeping market will be held along the tasting of honey delicaciesbeekeeping exhibition and workshops for children.

maribor-pohorje-world-bee-day
Photo credit: Verus

Article by: Jasmina Jerant

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