Festival to highlight important role of bees

“Bee Engaged”, is the motto of this year’s Bee Festival slated to take place on World Bee Day, May 22, at Ora village in Larnaca.

An announcement by the organisers states that the primary aim is to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators for human survival and to catalyse action for their preservation on an individual as well as societal level.

Towards this end the following practical actions steps are suggested:

Plant nectar-bearing flowers for decorative purposes on balconies, terraces, and gardens.

Buy honey and other hive products from your nearest local beekeeper.

Raise awareness among children and adolescents on the importance of bees and express your support for beekeepers.

Set up a pollinator farm on your balcony, terrace, or garden; you can either make it yourself or buy one at any home furnishings store.

Preserve old meadows – which feature a more diverse array of flowers – and sow nectar-bearing plants.

Offer suitable farming locations for the temporary or permanent settlement of bees so that they have suitable pasture; as a consequence, they will pollinate our plants, which will thereby bear more fruit

Do not harm bees with pesticides and spray in windless weather, either early in the morning or late at night, when bees withdraw from blossoms.

The Bee Festival, which will take place under the auspices of the president of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, will feature traditional dances, live music, workshops and activities for children, including building a “Bee hotel”, making beeswax ointment and bee-themed handicrafts with recycled materials.

Twenty-five exhibitors will offer their products, wares and services, including local taverns.

When: Sunday, May 22, 10:30-17:00

Where: Ora village, Larnaca