On Monday evening, the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee held the first in a series of community meetings at the Swieqi Local Council’s Community Hall. The event was made possible by the support of the Swieqi Local Council, Eastern Regional Council, and is part of the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS) for 2024 — managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) and supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV)—drew an enthusiastic crowd eager to learn about Malta’s National Insect and its ecological significance.
The meeting, led by the Foundation’s president Dylan Farrugia, featured insights from seasoned beekeepers Arnold Grech, Joseph Calleja, Michaelangelo Muscat, and Jorge Spiteri, alongside contributions from distinguished academics Prof. David Mifsud and Simone Cutajar. Their collective expertise provided a comprehensive overview of the Maltese Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri), emphasising its importance as a cornerstone of Malta’s natural heritage. This was then followed by open discussions with the public in attendance on the various themes explored.
The evening began with an exploration of Malta’s historical and cultural connection to the Maltese Honey Bee. Attendees learned about the bee’s unique traits, such as its adaptability to Malta’s climate and its role in pollinating native flora. A key topic of discussion was the common misconception that the Maltese Honey Bee is overly aggressive.
Another highlight of the meeting was a brief but engaging explanation of the structure of a beehive, which gave attendees a clearer understanding of the intricate world of honey bees. During the event, a reminder of the Maltese Honey Bee’s status as the National Insect, a testament to its ecological and cultural significance, was also candidly discussed.
Attendees enjoyed a warm atmosphere, with tea, coffee, cakes, and pastries provided during the intermission. The social break fostered lively discussions among participants, reflecting a shared commitment to the conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee. As a token of appreciation, all attendees received postcards from the Foundation and seed packets of Maltese flora beneficial to bees, generously donated by the Grow 10 Trees Project.
This meeting marked an important step in raising awareness about the vital role of the Maltese Honey Bee and the need to safeguard its future. The Foundation’s initiative continues to inspire the community to protect this unique species, ensuring its survival for generations to come.
Soon, the Foundation will announce the second meeting in the series “Insett Uniku: Ngħarblu x’Qalulna”, which will be held at a different location. Stay tuned for details!
Disclaimer: This project has been funded by the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS) managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV). This project/ publication reflects the views only of the author, and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Small Initiatives Support Scheme 2024
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Leave a Reply