On Thursday, August 27, 2020, the ceremonial opening of the period apiary at Trenčín Castle took place under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Ján Mičovský, represented by State Secretary Andrej Gajdoš. The apiary was established as part of a joint project of the Trenčín Museum in Trenčín and the Beekeeping Ecological Association of Slovakia entitled "When beekeeping was a craft close to nature". It will draw the attention of visitors to the importance of bees and the balance of nature.

The author of the idea is Martin Hodoško and his colleagues from the beekeeping association, who want to show children in particular why bees are important not only for our lives, but also for the whole world. "Bees are organically reared with respect to their nature. Because this organism has evolved over tens of millions of years, one should make as few interventions as possible into their lives. In the future, he should rather take on the role of observer and take only their surpluses. This is one of the very important factors influencing their survival as a species " , explained Hodoško , chairman of the beekeeping association.

"Through various activities, we would like to change the public's view that the bee was primarily created to pollinate, preserve habitats, stability of ecosystems and all nature and not only because of honey," said Michal Bizoň , vice-president of the Beekeeping Ecological Association of Slovakia.

The hives are located near the Jeremiah Bastion in a part of the castle that is not open to the public. "Access to the hives will be possible only under the supervision of experts from the Beekeeping Ecological Association in protective clothing several times a month. I believe that we will arouse interest, especially among young people. They can see how beekeeping worked when it was still a craft, when it was not an industry, " said Peter Martinisko , director of the Trenčín Museum in Trenčín.

"This project also fits in   Regional conception of environmental education, upbringing and enlightenment   and I look forward to other actors and sponsors. Today, children and young people need to be explained what bees are, how to take care of them, and I believe that the castle apiary will be an attraction not only for those who are interested in protecting the environment, "added Jaroslav Baška , Trenčín County. inhabit   four bee families, more will be added in the spring of next year.

In Trenčín, 31.8.2020

Text: MT