World Bee Day

Did you know that the diligent bees, these tiny buzzing creatures, also play a significant role in the survival of humankind? They are important pollinators who ensure sustainable farming, biodiversity and contribute to lessening the effect of climatic change as well as preserving the environment.

In Slovenia, people are well aware of the bees´ outstanding mission, that is why beekeeping has a very longstanding and strong tradition. In this spirit, on 20th December, 2017, an initiative for the proclamation of World Bee Day was approved. World Bee Day is celebrated on 20th May, the birthday of Anton Janša, a great bee expert from the 18th century. Anton Janša was the first bee teacher at the court of Empress Maria Theresa who, by introducing certain methods of apiculture, caused a real revolution in the state of apiculture at that time. Among other things, he introduced bee pastures, redefined the role of drones and put all of his notions into two books that are to this day considered a welcome guide for many beekeepers.  

The rich beekeeping tradition is the ground for numerous bee-related adventures not only in Prekmurje but also in other parts of Slovenia. Beekeeping is, therefore, intertwined with the preparation of traditional dishes as well as the preservation of the cultural heritage of the inhabitants of the region. 

Did you know?

• Bees are responsible for one third of the world´s food production and, after cows and pigs, are the third most important animals for humans.
• For just one kilogramme of honey, a bee has to visit 4 million flowers and fly the equivalent of four times round the world.   
• The Carniolan honey bee is native to Slovenia and is the second most common bee species in the world and the most common in Europe.  
• A bee colony is made up of around sixty thousand bees – each and every one of them contributes to the life and survival of its colony. 
• From the day a bee is born, it knows what its mission is. In the period of its short life – 30 to 70 days – the bee works six different occupations. 
• During the flowering of the main bee pasture, a bee flies from its hive to the pasture up to seventeen times a day. Each flight takes about half an hour.