Championing the Maltese Honey Bee: The Foundation at Festa Fjuri 2025

On Saturday, 17th May, the Foundation was invited to deliver a talk at the 12th edition of Festa Fjuri 2025, organised by the Iklin Local Council and held around the streets of the same locality. At the EcoCafe corner, the Foundation‘s administrator Dylan Farrugia delivered a talk focused on the insect behind one of Malta’s most treasured natural products; the Maltese Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri). This unique subspecies endemic to Malta, was recently declared the National Insect of Malta through an initiative undertaken by the Foundation!

The talk explored the history of apiculture on the Maltese islands, from traditional clay structures known as qollol used by Maltese beekeepers to the introduction of modern beehives. Attendees learned about the honey bee’s vital role in pollination and biodiversity, as well as the challenges it faces in a changing Maltese landscape.

A highlight of the session was a deep dive into Malta’s three traditional honey varieties:

Spring Honey: Light in colour with floral notes, harvested early in the season
Thyme Honey: Golden and aromatic, produced from the nectar of the native wild thyme plants
Carob Honey: Dark and rich, made in the autumn season from carob blossom

A speaker presenting to an audience about the Maltese Honey Bee at a festival event, with a banner in the background.

A speaker at a talk about the Maltese Honey Bee, engaging with an audience seated in a tent at Festa Fjuri 2025.

The speaker placed strong emphasis on the natural authenticity of honey sourced from local beekeepers rearing the Maltese Honey Bee, highlighting how it differs from commercially blended or processed alternatives. During the Q&A segment, the audience actively participated, with many questions focusing on common misconceptions; particularly around the difference between carob honey and carob syrup which is a plant extract and not a bee product, and the natural crystallisation of some types of honey. The talk drew considerable interest from festival attendees, sparking conversations about the Maltese Honey Bee its conservation, and the varieties of honey available.

Festa Fjuri Iklin

Festa Fjuri Iklin 2025 was a vibrant celebration of nature, community, and local heritage, held on Saturday, 17th May. Taking place along Ninu Cremona Street, the twelfth edition of the event transformed the heart of Iklin into a spectacular floral showcase. Its centrepiece was an impressive infiorata—a large floral carpet made up of 7,000 colourful petunia pots. In a gesture of community spirit and environmental awareness, these pots were distributed to attendees at the end of the event to encourage home gardening.

The festival offered a diverse programme of activities, including live musical performances by the Saint Pius X Musical Society, traditional folk singing, street performances, and art exhibitions. The Eco Café served as a space for discussion and learning, with talks focusing on pollination, local biodiversity, and the traditional uses of herbs.

Culinary offerings were also a highlight, with treats themed around edible flowers and a local rosemary-infused drink known as Xarba Klin, inspired by the town’s namesake herb. Organised by the Iklin Local Council and supported by local NGOs and environmental organisations, Festa Fjuri 2025 was a joyful, multi-sensory celebration that reflected Iklin’s commitment to sustainability, creativity, and community engagement.

The Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to the Iklin Local Council for the invitation and wishes to congratulate them on a successful Festa Fjuri 2025.

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