The first Beekeeping University will be unveiled in Bulgaria in one month only. Its main objective is to inspire a new generation of apiarists to practice this ancient occupation. Beekeeping is a traditional means of livelihood in Bulgaria and is rooted back to the Thracian tribes.

The platform “Real Honey” has come up with the idea about the beekeeping university. Its mission is to stop the negative trend related to the extinction of bees. The platform also helps Bulgarian apiarists produce organic honey with guaranteed quality and origin and sell their produce at a fair price.

The main task of the organizers of the project is to help amateur beekeepers make their first steps in beekeeping, providing them with theoretical and practical knowledge. Depending on how ambitious the students are, they will be able to acquire knowledge of the basic subtleties of this occupation and learn the latest trends in beekeeping relating to the technologies and digitalization of beekeeping. 

“Beekeeping, which requires dedication and serious knowledge, is either handed down from generation to generation, or mastered after a number of unsuccessful attempts – Stefani Karaivanova who is part of the team of “Real Honey” said.” Those who decide to become apiarists will need a mentor, a suitable plot of land for their apiary and money to buy beehives, bee colonies and equipment. There are a number of beekeeping courses and lessons, but ours is different, because we offer a hybrid training.”

Nature and bee lovers still have the opportunity to submit an application to join the Beekeeping University. 30 people will be selected out of all applicants and ten candidates (five men and five women) will receive scholarships. The curricula envisages online lectures with lecturers and Bulgarian and foreign scientists, as well as practical training at an apiary with beekeepers who are part of the programme “Adopt a Beehive”.

“Most beekeepers learn from their grandmothers, grandfathers or parents, who left them an apiary, but this is an extremely difficult task – Stefani Karaivanova further said in an interview for the BNR-Blagoevgrad. Beekeeping requires plenty of information and many people give up due to the lack of a mentor or financial resource. Our course is suitable for people who are taking their first steps in this occupation. Undoubtedly, beekeeping will become a hobby for some of them.”

Why it is important to protect bees?

“Bees are the world’s most important insect pollinators and we owe an awful lot to them – Stefani Karaivanova replied. One third of the food on our table was pollinated by bees and if we fail to protect them, we will have problems with food supplies. That is why Einstein once said that if the bee disappeared off the face of the Earth, man would only have four years left to live.”

The three-month course at the Beekeeping University will begin on March 7 and those who complete the course successfully will receive certificates on World Bee Day celebrated on May 20. Five people, who get the highest score on the final exam will receive a prize- a new hive containing a bee colony.

Compiled by: Diana Tsankova (interview by Eleonora Tropankova, BNR-Blagoevgrad)

English version: Kostadin Atanasov