On Saturday 17 October 2026 at the Municipal Cultural Centre in Sabinovo took place The Šariš Beekeeping Festival, which brought together beekeepers, experts and the general public. The event featured specialist talks, interesting workshops, family activities and opportunities to learn about beekeeping traditions. The festival also included a presentation on tourism opportunities in the Šariš region, organised by the Šariš Region Regional Tourism Organisation.
The festival was organised by Matúš Dudič in collaboration with the Sabinov branch of the Slovak Beekeepers’ Association. Its aim was to promote the exchange of specialist knowledge, raise awareness of the importance of bees and contribute to the preservation of the beekeeping tradition in the Šariš region.
The specialist talks provided new insights into the world of bees
The festival programme began with a grand opening ceremony and a performance by the Sabinovčan Folk Ensemble. A key part of the event was a series of specialist talks focusing on current topics in beekeeping, which also included insights from the academic world.
Experts from the Department of Ecology at the University of Prešov and the MEDANA Beekeeping Farm presented essential oils as an eco-friendly defence against the bee mite. The creators of the ‘Cestou medu’ project explored the topic of honeydew formation and the link between the forest environment and the lives of bees. In his presentation, a well-known beekeeping YouTuber outlined the reasons and causes of colony collapse and ways to prevent it.
The creator of the ‘Cestou medu’ project explained how honeydew is formed and how the forest environment is linked to the life of bees. Finally, a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic outlined the support available for beekeeping and the implications of legislative changes.
Experiences for young and old alike
The festival was not intended solely for experts. Visitors were able to take part in workshops, attend exhibitors’ presentations and seek advice or purchase beekeeping products.
Among the highlights were having your photo taken with the bee mascot and observing a bee’s body under a microscope. These activities gave visitors a glimpse into the fascinating world of bees and the chance to get to know them up close.
The Šariš region was presented in a light-hearted way
The Šariš Region Regional Tourism Organisation also took part in the festival. The organisation was represented by Mgr. Erika Oravcová, an assistant at the tourist information centre, who introduced visitors to possible day trips and places of interest in the region.
At the exhibition stand, visitors were able to test their knowledge by taking part in a quiz Do you know Šariš? and a quiz focusing on the Šariš dialect. Colouring books and crossword puzzles were provided for the youngest children. Participants received rewards in the form of promotional items from the Šariš Region for taking part in the activities.
The interactive presentation showed that exploring the region can be fun for all age groups and that local traditions, culture and tourism can be seamlessly combined.
Inspiration for further activities and collaboration
Taking part in the festival provided OOCR Šariš Region with new ideas for organising its own promotional activities. It was particularly inspired by the system of quizzes, stamps and various stations, which could also be put to good use at the organisation’s future events.
The festival also provided an opportunity for collaboration with the town of Sabinov and helped to link tourism with local traditions and community life. Among the materials obtained was a brochure marking the 777th anniversary of Sabinov, which outlines the town’s history.
Protecting bees means protecting the future
The Šariš Beekeeping Festival highlighted the significance of bees for nature and humankind, the importance of education, and the need to preserve traditional crafts. The combination of expert knowledge, practical demonstrations and activities for the public created a space for sharing experiences and fostering a connection with nature.
The main message of the event is encapsulated in a simple yet important idea: Protecting bees means ensuring life for future generations.
The Šariš Regional Tourist Board appreciates the opportunity to be part of an event that promotes local traditions, education and cooperation. Such activities contribute not only to the protection of natural and cultural heritage, but also to raising the profile of the Šariš region’s tourism potential.
Source: OOCR RŠ
Source of photographs: OOCR RŠ
