The Carniolan honey bee
Of all of Slovenia's indigenous, domestic animal species, the one that is most widespread in geographical terms is the Carniolan honey bee.The Carniolan honey bee , also known as the Carniolan Grey or the Kranjica (scientific name: Apis mellifera carnica), is an indigenous bee of the Balkan Peninsula whose home, for historical reasons, is recognised as being in Slovenia.
We Slovenians are a nation of beekeepers. Our countryman Anton Janša is hailed as a pioneer of modern beekeeping and one of the world's greatest bee experts. An Academytrained painter, he served as the first teacher of beekeeping at the imperial court. He became famous for his lectures, at which he displayed his great and very detailed knowledge of bees. He wrote two important books: A Treatise on the Swarming of Bees (1771) and A Complete Guide to Beekeeping (published posthumously in 1775). After his death, Empress Maria Theresa ordered that all teachers of beekeeping should study these works.
Beekeeping in Slovenia enjoys international recognition, thanks in part to characteristic features such as unique decorated beehive panels and distinctive traditional hives. As enthusiastic beekeepers, we Slovenians are also working hard to have 20 May proclaimed as World Bee Day.
Text by Tanja Glogovčan
The exhibition is organised by the Slovenian Government Communication Office in cooperation with Slovenia Press Photo, the Slovenian Ministry of Culture, the related Slovenian embassies, and the Slovenian Armed Forces.
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