World Bee Day

A honeycomb in the shape of a globe showing the eastern hemisphere. The inscription 'SVETOVNI DAN ČEBEL' (World Bee Day), the state name 'SLOVENIJA', and the year '2018'.

Slovenia holds a special place in beekeeping: the Carniolan honey bee, a subspecies of the Western honey bee native to the Eastern Alps, has for centuries been considered economically and culturally significant for the region. Slovenian beekeepers have selectively bred and spread the Carnica breed over generations; today it is one of the most widely kept bee breeds in the world. Relative to its population, the country is among the most beekeeping-active in Europe, with a lively association network and a tradition of painted beehive panels, known as panjske končnice, dating back to the 18th century. On the international initiative of Slovenian beekeeping associations, the United Nations declared 20 May World Bee Day in November 2017 - a date commemorating the birthday of Slovenian beekeeping pioneer Anton Janša, who taught at the Viennese Imperial Beekeeping School in the 18th century and is regarded as the founder of modern beekeeping.

World Bee Day draws attention to the decline of pollinating insects, caused by habitat loss, pesticide use and the Varroa destructor parasite. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), bees pollinate around 75 percent of the world's most important food crops, making them a key ecological factor in food security. In 2018 - the first official year of World Bee Day - Slovenia commemorated its decisive role in creating this day of action with a 2-euro commemorative coin, while also drawing attention to the global importance of bee protection.