World Bee Day: When And Why Was It Established?

This anniversary was established only a few years ago by the United Nations General Assembly. In October 2017, it was decided to celebrate World Bee Day on 20 May, a symbolically important date for beekeeping. This date coincides with the birth of Anton Janša (1734-1773), a Slovenian breeder and beekeeper who is mainly remembered as one of the precursors of rational beekeeping. This date, therefore, is not only to remember this important pioneer of modern beekeeping techniques, but also the important role played by Slovenia in promoting this important day and beekeeping and bees in general.

The institution of this day has been very successful and is indeed remembered in more than 115 countries. As we have mentioned, particular credit is due to Slovenia, which, thanks to the intervention of the Slovenian Beekeepers' Federation, managed to get the United Nations to officially recognise this anniversary. Slovenia is a country where beekeeping is strongly rooted and where the population is well aware of the extremely important role played by bees. The protection of bees is one of the objectives of the Slovenian government, and the ban on the use of pesticides in the country, in force since 2011, is tangible proof of this. There are many beekeeping circles in Slovenia, spread mainly in the countryside, although urban activities are also growing in recent years. Even tourism has its own beekeeping declination.

A world without bees would be very different from the one we know. For over 30 million years, the pollination action performed by bees has enabled the reproduction of many plants, thus maintaining the balance of ecosystems and preserving biodiversity. Bees are therefore crucial not only for the survival of many plant species, but also for us. Over two-thirds of food crops are available thanks to the pollination activity of bees. These insects are therefore fundamental not only for biodiversity, but also play an active role in the restoration of areas close to desertification and in the direct and indirect absorption of carbon dioxide. These insects are essential for our survival and the well-being of the planet, and yet, precisely because of the negative impact that humans and human activities have on the environment, they are in danger of disappearing.

The increasing attention paid to the situation of bees and pollinators is due not only to the fact that there is a growing awareness of their importance, but also to the ever-increasing dangers threatening their survival. Bees are really running great risks due to pesticides, diseases and climate change. 10 million hives disappearing in 10 years are not numbers we can so easily ignore. In just thirty years, from 1980 to 2010, the world population of bees and wasps has shrunk by almost 40%.

The celebration of World Bee Day therefore has several objectives: to draw the attention of the world's population and policymakers to the importance of bee protection, remind that we depend on bees and other pollinators, protect bees and other pollinators to contribute significantly to solving global food supply problems and to eradicating hunger in developed countries, halt biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and in this way contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

It is therefore very important that we do our best to support these incredible insects. Today, much of the work is done by beekeepers, who are responsible for protecting bees from diseases and pests and preserving them from adverse weather conditions. You too can make a contribution by deciding to support one of the beekeepers participating in the 'Adopt a hive' project. These beekeepers use the 3Bee monitoring systems to keep an eye on their bees at all times and to be able to intervene effectively only when necessary. You can monitor the growth and development of "your" hive directly from your phone and at the end of the beekeeping season you will receive the honey produced directly to your home! You will thus be able to taste the fruit of the bees' hard work and expression of their territory.