Overview

With the assistance of the last living bearers of the element, the traditional beekeeping with movable-comb hives in Crete and the corresponding technique of these hives are documented, with a special emphasis on the clay hives of this type, vraskia, which were the most widespread.

Objectives – priorities

Traditional beekeeping is expected to be safeguarded, which nowadays is in danger of disappearing. In addition, the action intends to highlight the role of beekeeping heritage and other related elements of natural and cultural heritage as factors of sustainable development and cohesion of local societies/communities, as well as to enrich activities of apitourism, sustainable cultural tourism, recreation, cultural routes, alternative tourism and related activities.

Activities – deliverables

Interviews, audiovisual material, photos, a publication, a webpage dedicated to the action and clay Bee hives (replicas) for scientific/educational purposes will be produced. Also, a seminar will be implemented. The action will be presented publicly and the deliverables will be distributed widely.

Rationale - Significance

Movable-comb hives and their mode of operation have had a crucial impact on the development of global beekeeping. This fact makes their safeguarding and preservation extremely important, perhaps more than any other form of traditional beekeeping practice.

The results of the action can be incorporated into other related elements of culture 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.

The action has additional value for the inscription of the element (traditional beekeeping with movable-comb hives) in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Expected results

The action will safeguard and promote the traditional method of beekeeping with movable-comb hives, and the clay hives themselves. At the same time, other related elements of culture will be highlighted. Local skills will be harnessed; cultural and historical capital will be safeguarded and developed; cultural and tourism activities are expected to generate income and achieve complementarity; cultural and environmental sustainability will be supported; respect for cultural diversity and human creativity will be cultivated; social cohesion and contribution to the acceptance of diversity will be strengthened.