IMYB 2023 in Slovenia officially started!
The opening ceremony on July 4th announced the official start of the 12th International Meeting of Young Beekeepers (IMYB), which is held in Ivančna Gorica, between July 3rd and July 7th 2023, organized by the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association and the Municipality of Ivančna Gorica. More than 150 participants from 30 countries are taking part in the first competition of its kind in Slovenia, from all continents of the world. The main purpose of the competition is to raise awareness of the importance of bees and the mission of beekeepers, as well as mutual cooperation and integration in the care of sustainable development and the transfer of knowledge and experience between generations.
The IMYB 2023 is held under the honorary patronage of the president of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar. The president of the Slovenian National Council, Marko Lotrič, addressed the audience with the following words: “Diligence, industriousness, belonging, self-sacrifice, usefulness… these are just some of the great qualities that characterize both communities and on which the future of the world greatly depends. Just as bees care for humanity, so too must humanity care for bees. When I look at you in front of me, enthusiastic young beekeepers, I am not worried about the future. I am sure that with your knowledge and activities, you will help to make everyone around you aware of the importance of caring for bees and the environment.”
Jiři Piza, president of the International Center of Young Beekeepers, ICYB, greeted everyone present. He also welcomed the representatives of the teams of the countries participating in the competition for the first time, namely Greece, Jordan, Croatia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and the USA. He went on to thank the organizers of the competition and at the same time urged the young beekeepers to “enjoy the beautiful days and keep their eyes open, because they are not only participants in this event, but also the future facilitators, leaders of beekeeping clubs, organizers of national competitions and IMYB meetings.”
Boštjan Noč, president of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association, greeted everyone present, and then addressed the young beekeepers by saying they are our future. He highlighted the two words “proud” and “thank you”. “ Slovenian beekeepers and co-organizers are proud to host such a large event as the IMYB. Being proud is what makes them strong!” He went on to thank the beekeepers and everyone who participated in the organization of the competition, emphasizing what a great contribution to beekeeping this event is. At the end, he pointed out that everyone will leave this competition as winners.
Irena Šinko, the Slovenian Minister of Agriculture highlighted beekeeping in Slovenia as a tradition, so, in her opinion, it is important that the ministry promotes the development of beekeeping. She emphasized that Slovenia is also recognized in the world for three important events – the World Bee Day, the traditional Slovenian breakfast and the Golden Bee Award. She drew attention to the awareness that agriculture and beekeeping must go hand in hand so that we can preserve bees and other important pollinators, as only this promises a safe future.
The host of IMYB 2023 in the Municipality of Ivančna Gorica. Mayor Dušan Strnad said: “We are proud and honored to have been chosen for this honorable task. As a bee-friendly municipality, we will take one step further. We are also becoming a beekeeper-friendly municipality, and that is why we are opening our doors wide to participants of the 12th International Meeting of Young Beekeepers from all over the world.” He went on to say that the participants of the meeting are housed in the Cistercian monastery Stična, and that the competition part will take place in the premises of the Stična Primary School.
The organizers also invited Josip Jurčič Secondary School and local tourism providers, led by the Carniolan Bee House, to participate in the event.
At the opening of the 12th International Meeting of Young Beekeepers, on behalf of the general sponsor NLB d.d. , management assistant Vesna Vodopivec said: “At NLB bank, we feel responsibility towards our customers, employees, people in general and the nature, which is why we are happy to share our business successes with the wider society. We are extremely proud and honored to be able to support the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association, which has been preserving tradition and protecting natural and cultural heritage for 150 years. We are proud that Slovenia is hosting the 2023 IMYB, as this is also a guarantee for the future development of beekeeping in Slovenia and elsewhere.”
The program of the opening ceremony was diverse – ceremonial fanfares and the arrival of the banners of the beekeeping societies were followed by a singing performance of the Stična Primary School Choir and the Male Chamber Choir of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association. As the beekeeping teams of the participating countries walked by, the audience clapped loudly. At the end of the ceremony all participants sang and danced to the official anthem of IMYB 2023, Love is in bee air, which is also the slogan of the competition in Ivančna Gorica.
The five-day event in Ivančna Gorica will end in the center of Ivančna Gorica on Thursday, July 6th, with a festive market offering local products, the announcement of the competition winners and the music sounds of Sašo Avsenika’s ensemble.
Photos: https://photos.ecetera.si/Ivancna-Gorica/IMYB-2023-Day-2/