March 2025 was a very eventful month full of international meetings and important events for the Beekeeping Academy of Slovenia, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia.
🔸 Study Visit from Estonia
As part of the Erasmus+ programme, we hosted a delegation of from the NGO Alustame Algusest from Estonia. We toured the beehives on the roof of the Park Hotel, visited the Melisa apitherapy apiary and learned about the tradition of beekeeping in Slovenia at an interactive exhibition in the Carniolan Bee House, where we also had the opportunity to taste various kinds of Slovenian honey.
🔸 APIS Slovenia I Europe beekeeping fair in Celje
At Slovenia’s largest beekeeping fair, we presented four handmade models of Slovenian beehives based on archive photos from the mid-20th century and the sugar test to determine varroa infestation rate in bee colonies (https://www.kis.si/pripomocki/Varoja-test/).
We also had the honour of hosting representatives from the scientific committees of the European Beekeeping Association (EBA) to discuss bee health, the quality of bee products and sustainable beekeeping practises. Under the guidance of the Vice President of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association and certified bee guide Ales Süssinger, we visited part of the Ljubljana Bee Route.
🔸 BPW International Delegation
In March, the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International) visited Slovenia. We introduced them to two important development projects, namely Economic Empowerment of Mine Victims in BiH (ITF, UDAS partnership) and (Women) beekeepers as drivers of positive change in Zambia (ADRA Slovenia, ADRA Zambia, Slovenian Business Club in Zambia partnership). Both projects are supported by the the Republic of Slovenia under the “Slovenian Aid” International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Programme, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. The delegation BPW International also visited the Museum of Apiculture Radovljica and learned more about history and tradition of beekeeping in Slovenia and got acquainted with the AŽ hives – the main technological specialty of beekeeping in Slovenia.
We are grateful to all the participants and visitors who contributed to the success of these events. 🐝✨