12th Bee Fest Opened: More Than 50 Exhibitors Presented Their Products

The 12th International Beekeeping and Beekeeping Equipment Fair – Bee Fest, which will be open until September 14, was opened today at Alija Izetbegović Square, reports the BH news agency Patria.

As stated by Samira Katić - Arnautović from the Fair Directorate, this year there are more than 50 exhibitors from BiH and the countries of the region.

- This year's fair has exceeded our expectations, considering it was a difficult year. The beekeeping sector suffered significant losses. But it still offered quality, which in some varieties even surpassed expectations – said Katić - Arnautović.

A wide range of products is also on offer from exhibitors this year, so in addition to honey, royal jelly, propolis, organic products, etc. can be found.

As part of the Fair, the project of the "Snaga volje" (Strength of Will) Foundation was also presented today, which awarded 20 beehives to 20 children from the Center for Education, Upbringing and Rehabilitation "Vladimir Nazor". Support was provided by experts from the USAID/Sida FARMA project.

20 Children Signed Contracts

- Foundation employees made the beehives. The children's education will be financed by the sale of honey from these beehives. Beekeeping is an employment generator, and the number of people engaged in beekeeping as a profession, not a hobby or craft, is continuously growing – said Katić - Arnautović.

The Foundation's goal is for each of the 1,500 children with psycho-physical development impairments in the Sarajevo Canton to receive a beehive. This year too, honey samples were taken, which will be analyzed in the laboratory, and the best will receive awards for quality.