Overview

With the assistance of the last living bearers of the element, the traditional beekeeping with movable-comb hives in Crete is documented, with a special emphasis on vraskia, the clay hives of this type. Modern-day interpretation, protection and safeguarding of this cultural heritage, as well as highlighting other related elements of culture are supported, through activities such as: video, fieldwork, publications, production and installation of clay Bee hives (replicas) for scientific - educational purposes, communication, networking, and dissemination.

Objectives – Priorities

The action aims to contribute to the safeguarding and preservation of the traditional beekeeping method in movable-comb hives, which nowadays is in immediate danger of disappearing. The method, once its importance is recognised and its viability ensured, and with the right policies in place, is desirable to emerge as a factor of sustainable development and social cohesion; also, to enrich activities of beekeeping, cultural and alternative tourism, recreation, sightseeing and cultural routes, and related activities for becoming acquainted with this heritage.

Rationale - Significance

Movable-comb hives were invented in ancient Greece and have remained in use in Greece to this day. They became known in the West in the 17th century and had a decisive influence on the development of global beekeeping. This fact makes the safeguarding and preservation of the traditional beekeeping method with these hives extremely important, perhaps more so than any other traditional beekeeping method.

The action has additional value for the inscription of the element (Traditional Beekeeping Method With Movable-comb Hives) in the Hellenic Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The results of the action can be incorporated within a wide geographic area where movable-comb hives were traditionally used (central/ western Crete, Kythera, Antikythera, eastern Peloponnese, Argosaronic islands, Attica, Kea), without altering the identity of each region.