One Year Since National Recognition
The 24th of September has become an extraordinary date in the calendar of the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee and of apiculture in Malta. This year, the day will mark not only the first anniversary of Malta’s endemic honey bee, Apis mellifera ruttneri, being formally declared the national insect of Malta, but also a series of celebratory and forward-looking initiatives designed to honour its ecological, agricultural and cultural importance.
Exactly one year ago, after years of advocacy and scientific work, the Maltese Honey Bee gained official recognition as Malta’s national insect. This was a historic achievement, as it placed our endemic bee alongside Malta’s other national symbols, giving it both higher visibility and a stronger legal status. The designation was not symbolic alone; it was the culmination of years of dedicated research, conservation efforts, and awareness-raising campaigns.
Launch of In-Naħla u Sħabha
To commemorate this milestone, the Foundation will launch the third and final song in its educational trilogy, In-Naħla u Sħabha. Following the success of In-Naħla Katerina and Festin Għad-Dakkara, this final piece continues the mission of educating children and the wider public about the honey bee in an engaging, artistic format.
Where the first song introduced the honey bee as a character and the second celebrated pollinators’ role in our ecosystems, In-Naħla u Sħabha highlights the Maltese honey bee’s proud new status as a national insect. Through music, visuals and storytelling, it will help children and adults alike connect with this achievement and appreciate the honey bee’s place in Malta’s natural and cultural identity.
Proposal for a National Day
The Foundation is also using this anniversary to look ahead with an even greater ambition: the proposal to designate 24th September as a national day dedicated to the Maltese Honey Bee.
Such a day would provide a structured annual opportunity to celebrate and educate the public about the honey bee’s agricultural, ecological and heritage value. Farmers, beekeepers, schools and local communities would all benefit from a shared moment of recognition, where awareness of pollinators’ roles in food security and biodiversity could be strengthened.
Malta’s endemic honey bee is more than just a species of ecological interest. It is a living part of the islands’ history and heritage. Beekeeping traditions date back centuries, forming part of local customs, agricultural practices and even the etymology of our country’s name, Malta is believed to derive from the Greek “Melite”, meaning “honey-sweet”. A national day would create the space to honour these connections and to inspire collective responsibility for safeguarding this treasured species.
Malta at Apimondia 2025
As if these celebrations were not enough, 24th September 2025 will also see the Foundation’s work presented on the international stage at Apimondia, the World Beekeeping Congress, hosted in Copenhagen, Denmark. Organised by the beekeeper associations of Sweden, Norway and Denmark, Apimondia 2025 will bring together scientists, beekeepers, industry leaders and conservationists from across the globe under the theme of unity, knowledge sharing and creating bonds through a common love for bees.
Dylan Farrugia, President of the Foundation, will deliver a presentation entitled The Journey to Recognising the Maltese Honey Bee: Achievements and Challenges Ahead. This will be a chance to showcase Malta’s pioneering work in achieving national recognition for an endemic bee, while also opening dialogue with international peers about the road ahead.
Global Dialogue, Local Challenges
The challenges are clear: climate change, habitat loss, disease, and the spread of non-native bee subspecies continue to threaten the genetic purity and survival of Apis mellifera ruttneri. Sharing Malta’s experiences at Apimondia will both highlight the success achieved so far and underline the urgency of ongoing efforts.
For the Foundation, participating in Apimondia is not only a matter of prestige, but also an opportunity to build networks and collaborations. With its vision of showcasing pure apiary products, promoting unity and knowledge exchange, and helping “make the world bloom”, Apimondia resonates closely with the Foundation’s own mission.
Building Momentum for the Future
Taken together, these events demonstrate the growing momentum behind the Foundation’s work. From grassroots awareness projects such as educational songs, to national campaigns that secure formal recognition for species, and international presentations that put Malta on the beekeeping map, the journey is both broad and ambitious.
Yet all of it circles back to one central truth: the Maltese Honey Bee is worth protecting, not only for the honey it produces but for its indispensable role in pollination, agriculture, and the preservation of Malta’s biodiversity and identity.
A Day Worth Celebrating
As 24th September approaches, it is clear that this date is no longer just another day on the calendar. It has become a symbol of progress, pride and purpose. The Foundation looks forward to the day when 24th September is officially recognised as a national day for the Maltese Honey Bee, ensuring that every year, Maltese people can pause to reflect on the small, tireless insect that sustains so much of their natural and cultural life.
This year, however, even without that formal designation, 24th September already stands as a landmark, celebrating past achievements, launching new creative projects, proposing a national future, and representing Malta on the world stage. Truly, for the Foundation and for Malta, it is a day to celebrate the Maltese Honey Bee.
To stay up to date with the Foundation’s work, we warmly invite you to join our WhatsApp community. The smooth functioning of our organisation relies on financial resources, and your support is essential. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference in advancing our mission. You can help by joining the Foundation’s cause, become a supporter for just €10 a year or make a donation here: Support the Foundation.
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