Visit the exhibition - 10 years of the Urban Beekeepers' Association of Slovenia

Humans have been interested in bees at least since they became aware of their existence on this planet, and the bees have always been present, at least to a small extent, in urban environments. Nevertheless, urban beekeeping is a relatively new concept - it has been known as an organised form of activity in the world's metropolises for several decades, but in our country the term has been coined mainly in the last ten years.

The Urban Beekeepers' Association was founded in February 2014 precisely because of the lack of specific skills related to this activity. It was set up so that we could selflessly exchange experiences and the tips and tricks needed to make urban beekeeping enjoyable and sustainable, especially in terms of ensuring adequate  conditions, a healthy nature, biodiversity and the well-being of other equally important pollinators in our environments.

The association was founded with the aim of bringing together individuals working in the fields of beekeeping, apitourism, environmental protection, agriculture, biotechnology, culture, architecture and design and related fields in Ljubljana and other Slovenian cities. In ten years, the association has grown from a handful of people  to a movement that includes many individuals, as well as sustainability-oriented companies such as A1, SKB banka, Petrol and others, including public institutions, in the concern for a greener future.

We are pleased that our membership is gender balanced and that we are lowering the average age of Slovenian beekeeping population, and we are also joined by members and supporters from other Slovenian cities. In 2020, the Urban Beekeepers' Association was awarded a plaque by the Capital City of Ljubljana because, as the justification says, "with the help of partners, Ljubljana's urban beekeeping has managed to put itself on the world map in just a few years". The quality of Ljubljana's urban honey and other bee products has won the highest awards at international competitions, and we are constantly promoting an ecological approach. With the achievements of our first decade of operation, we are aware of the new challenges of climate change and the importance of the ecological, as well as social, sensitivity of the area in which we operate.

The knowledge and experience we have gained have made us an equal interlocutor with former role models in foreign cities, and beekeeping on the rooftops of Ljubljana gives us a privileged view of the fabric of the city, its bustle and the thought currents of urban development from ancient Roman settlement Emona to the present day. With more than three quarters of Europeans living in cities in the near future, it is our shared responsibility to think about how to make these spaces clean, sustainable and liveable - and cities where bees and other pollinators thrive are pleasant for people too. Or with the Latin proverb: Si sapis, sis apis - If you want wisdom, be like a bee.

The selection presented on the Ljubljanica riverbank (Krakovski nasip) combines some of the photographs taken by our members in their home surroundings, with top-quality work by Slovenian professional photographers. Luka Dakskobler has followed our work for over a year and has previously had his photographs published in National Geographic magazine, among others, Ciril Jazbec's photographs were featured in a high-profile article in The New York Times, Primož Predalič won an international competition with his unique shot, and so on. We are grateful to all of them for their kind cooperation and believe that the selection can offer an unusual, unexpected view of the diversity of life in the Slovenian capital.

We invite you to visit the photographic exhibition on the Krakov embankment in Ljubljana, which celebrates 10 years of the Urban Beekeeper Association. The exhibition will be on display until at least the end of March 2024, during which time a public guided tour is also planned.

Gorazd Trušnovec

IMPRESUM

Exhibition concept, selection of photographs and accompanying text by Gorazd Trušnovec; design and layout by Mito Gegič.

The exhibition is made possible by the Ljubljana Tourism. Main sponsor: A1 Slovenija; donors: SKB banka and Petrol.

Thank you to all the authors of the photographs and to all those who participated in the creation of the exhibition and who have supported and continue to support the work of the Urban Beekeeper's Association of Slovenia. Welcome to our companionship!