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Bees and our future

INTERACTIVE EVENT ON TRADITIONAL BEEKEEPING

17/10/2025

Friday, October 17, 2025

Working language: Greek

The online event "Traditional Beekeeping with Movable-Comb Hives" was successfully held, co-organised by BEELOSOPHY and the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IGE).
The event took place in the framework of BEELOSOPHY's eponymous initiative, implemented with the support of the Directorate of Modern Cultural Heritage of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

The event brought together beekeepers, researchers, educators, students, and friends of tradition, creating a vibrant environment for exchanging knowledge and experiences on the promotion and preservation of Greece's beekeeping heritage. 

IGE Director Georgios Balotis welcomed the participants, followed by greetings from Irene Giovanovits, representative of the Ministry of Culture and responsible for intangible cultural heritage initiatives, and Dimitra Aggelaki, Special Advisor of Attica on Agricultural Economy and Veterinary Affairs.

The event was opened by Angelos Karagiannis, Ambassador of BEELOSOPHY, who presented the goals, challenges, and prospects of the initiative. He emphasised that traditional beekeeping is a living cultural asset with contemporary applications in education, culture, and sustainable development, and he also moderated the discussion that followed.

The event featured presentations by distinguished scientists and researchers, who highlighted the connection of traditional beekeeping with history, technology, and the cultural identity of the region, while also opening pathways for its contemporary application and future potential. The presenters, listed alphabetically, were:

  • Nikolaos Birlirakis, Bearer of Traditional Beekeeping

  • Georgios Goras, Assistant Professor, Agricultural University of Athens

  • Sofia Gounari, Research Director, Laboratory of Apiculture, Institute of Mediterranean & Forest Ecosystems

  • Georgios Mavrofridis, Archaeologist

  • Theodora Petanidou, Professor Emerita, Department of Geography, University of the Aegean

  • Ioannis Protopsaltis, Bearer of Traditional Beekeeping

  • George Speis, Author

The proceedings of the event, including the presenters' papers, will be published to remain available to all interested parties. 

Audiovisual material from BEELOSOPHY's field research in Crete, Kythera, and Attica was also presented, along with the initiative's documentary trailer.

Technical support for the event was provided by Orestis Varkarolis (IGE).

The initiative "Traditional Beekeeping with Movable-Comb Hives" started in 2024 in Crete and expanded this year to Kythera and Attica, aiming to contribute to the highlighting, preservation, and reinterpretation of Greece's beekeeping heritage - helping to cultivate its potential as both a resource for the sustainability of local communities and a gift for future generations.

Learn more about the initiative:

TRADITIONAL BEEKEEPING

The initiative

TRADITIONAL BEEKEEPING WITH MOVABLE-COMB HIVES (ATTICA & KYTHERA)

is implemented with financial support and under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture

Auspices

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