The Honey Days 2023: A Major International Beekeeping Event in Lazise
“The Honey Days, an international biennial event dedicated to beekeeping for agriculture,” currently taking place in Lazise, represents one of the most anticipated gatherings in the world of beekeeping. “A key event for our community”, stated the mayor during the inauguration of the trade fair market, “which pays tribute to sector operators both in Veneto and Italy, as well as across Europe and other countries worldwide”. While extending the “warmest welcome” to all beekeepers, colleagues mayors of the “Cities of Honey”, exhibitors, scholars, researchers, and the public who have gathered in this lakeside town for this major showcase of Italian and international beekeeping, Luca Sebastiano emphasized how the traditional trade fair remains “a joyful occasion to rediscover ancient free trade relationships, strengthen bonds of friendship, and participate in the already begun future of the United States of Europe”.
Participants and inaugural activities
Present at the ribbon-cutting of the first edition of the new millennium, under the banner of Europe, were Senator Umberto Chincarini, Claudio Valente representing the Chamber of Commerce, Marco Zaninelli from the Tourism Promotion Agency, Captain Ernesto Petriello of the Carabinieri, the communications manager of the Banca Popolare di Verona — a sponsor of the event — and representatives of the hospitality and restaurant associations of Lazise, who organized a rich buffet featuring local specialties, including a honey and walnut pizza, a new creation by Antonio Cannarile from the pizzeria “Al Castello”.
The series of events, which began with the meeting of the “Cities of Honey” mayors to reaffirm their traditional collaboration in favor of quality honey, held yesterday morning at the town hall and in the afternoon in Verona at the Sala Rossa of the Province, was followed by expert discussions to explore various technical-scientific issues related to hive product production. The main theme, “Beekeeping in Europe”, featured representatives from beekeepers’ associations across different EU countries.
Continuity and scientific insights
The proceedings will continue today at the “La Meridiana” conference center with a roundtable on “European honey quality: directives and expectations to protect the product and consumer”. This afternoon will host a scientific seminar on “Genetic resistance to diseases”, featuring speakers Maria Spivak from the Department of Entomology at the University of Minnesota and Marco Lodesani from the National Institute of Apiology.
The event will conclude tomorrow with the day dedicated to Venetian beekeepers, with speakers including: Roberto Piro from the Veneto Regional Agricultural Center; Stefano Sisto and Carmine Goffredo from the Veneto Region Agriculture and Market Policies Directorate; and closing remarks by Giancarlo Conta, regional councilor for Agriculture, Commerce, and Crafts of the Veneto Region.
