Bees, guardians of the environment and biodiversity, are the theme chosen to mark the 2026 edition of the Veneto Regional Ecology Day, scheduled for Sunday 24 May, now in its third year.
But throughout the week, the region has seen a succession of initiatives involving not only the provincial capitals but also the parks (the event coincides with European Parks Day), protected areas open to the public, and the organisation of specific events aimed at combining the promotion of the region’s natural heritage with raising awareness of the world of small pollinators, key biological indicators for assessing the health of the environment and ensuring the prosperity of ecosystems.
Citizens, schools, local authorities, local sports and environmental protection associations, as well as beekeeping associations, were involved in the awareness-raising activities, encouraging everyday practices for environmental protection by communities across the Veneto region. With the Region having allocated €100,000 to support the initiatives, every organisation that responded to the call for proposals and was accepted was eligible to receive up to €1,500 in funding for research, films, exhibitions or events capable of interpreting the theme of biodiversity conservation in an original way.
The Veneto region’s aim is “to build a collective effort to raise awareness, particularly among young people, by encouraging projects that can translate the values of sustainability into concrete, shared experiences”, as Elisa Venturini, the regional councillor for the environment, explained. The choice of bees as the symbol of the Day is straightforward: “Protecting bees means protecting the entire ecosystem and our future”.
Among the activities organised by those who have responded to the call and joined the initiative, visitors to the Mercato Nuovo in Vicenza will be able – thanks to the support of Slow Food and Orto.Vi. – to visit (at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 3pm and 4pm) the educational apiary, accompanied by experts from the Veneto Regional Beekeepers’ Association. From 9 am to 4 pm, the “Mercato della Terra” will take centre stage, with a concert by the Vicenza Youth Orchestra at 11 am. Also in Vicenza, in the green spaces of Cascina Carpaneda (a municipally-owned area at the heart of a regeneration and restoration project led by various local associations), Legambiente Vicenza is organising the “Ci vuole un fiore” initiative, featuring hands-on workshops dedicated to the protection of natural habitats and the collective creation of a semi-permanent flowerbed with honey-producing plants that bloom in spring and summer.
In Chioggia, the town centre will be pedestrianised and transformed into a lively route featuring stalls, stands and activities linked to the world of beekeeping and honey products, whilst in Borgo Valbelluna, the ‘Apiarioaperto’ event is scheduled, featuring educational sessions, hive observation, honey extraction demonstrations and guided honey tastings. “Biodiversity in the square – The world of bees explained to the public” is the theme chosen for the events in Bassano del Grappa. Among the most evocative events is the one to be held in Marostica on 31 May: between Piazza degli Scacchi and the municipal educational apiary within the medieval walls, along the Carmini path towards the Upper Castle, the “Bees at the Cherry Tree” day will take place, dedicated to the link between history, the local area and beekeeping.
