Siedlce Honey Festival

Community Highlights Europe Siedlce Honey Festival

We had attended the Honey Fair last year and decided to attend it this year as well. This year, the organizers of the event decided to name it a festival, not a fair, since everything connected with honey should be enjoyment and fun, and not just a sale of products even if it is done to live music.

The festival started with the beekeepers award ceremony, where the most active beekeepers received prizes and diplomas.
I liked the speech of a professor of the Agricultural Department of Siedlce University, who mentioned the importance of plants for the economy and the economic aspect of beekeeping. The beekeepers, as he said, do not produce honey, they collect it.

What’s more, the professor mentioned the low-quality honey that we can easily buy at local supermarkets. The university laboratory allegedly made thorough analyses of such widespread “industrial” honey and concluded that it contained a lot of chemical products. Thus, it looks like fake honey.

I discovered that beekeeping was a cherished tradition in Siedlce and was deeply rooted in the agricultural practices of Siedlce County. The area’s diverse flora provides an excellent environment for bees, resulting in high-quality honey production. Many beekeepers in Siedlce focus on sustainable and organic beekeeping methods, ensuring the health of their bees and the quality of their honey. Beekeeping is always a community activity. Local beekeepers, who are the members of this or that NGO of beekeepers and the Regional Beekeepers’ Union, share their knowledge and resources with colleagues all over Poland. The Beekeepers’ Union provides workshops and courses for those interested in learning more about beekeeping, from beginners to experienced apiarists. All in all, beekeeping contributes to the local economy, not only through honey sales but also by supporting agriculture through pollination.

At the same time, according to the professor, there are dozens of bee-gardens in every Polish province, and it would be wise to purchase this or that honey from local beekeepers. According to his data, the honey consumption in Poland leaves much to be desired. The average honey consumption in Poland comprises only about a kilogram of honey a year per person, including babies and elderly people. I would call that a normal consumption since we have so many other temptations other that honey, among them biscuits, candies, jam and others.

In Siedlce, honey and beekeeping are also rich in folklore and traditions which I found fascinating. These traditions highlight the deep connection between the people of Siedlce and their bees, reflecting a respect for nature and the vital role bees play in the ecosystem. Here are a few interesting aspects of honey-related folklore in the region:

1. Bees as Messengers: It is believed that bees can carry messages between the living and the dead. This belief is reflected in the custom of “telling the bees” about important family events, such as births, marriages, and deaths, to keep them informed and maintain harmony.
2. Honey as a Healing Substance: Honey is often regarded as a magical substance with healing properties. Local folklore suggests that honey can cure various ailments and is used in traditional remedies for its antibacterial and soothing properties.
3. Protection and Good Luck: Bees and honey are considered symbols of protection and good luck. It is common to see beehives near homes and gardens, as they are believed to bring prosperity and ward off evil spirits.
4. Seasonal Celebrations: The Honey Festival itself is steeped in tradition, celebrating the end of the honey harvest season. It includes rituals and ceremonies that honor the bees and thank them for their hard work throughout the year.

The participants of the event visited numerous stalls, where beekeeping products were presented, including a variety of honey sorts, beekeeping equipment and honey-themed folk handicrafts.

There was a rich artistic program, including the performances by professional artistic groups.

I met an elderly man who sat to the table in front of the scene, where I was sitting. His name is Andrzej (Andrew). He turned out to be a beekeepers’ leader from Wegrow. We talked a lot, and he told me some words about his beekeeping. He is running an NGO with 35 participants and has a lot of paperwork, but he is happy to be able to provide all the necessary help to his colleagues. He invited us to come to his city some day and said he would show us around his city. Later I sent him a picture of us and the link to my story about Wegrow, which he appreciated a lot.

Siedlce is known for its multi-floral honey that is produced from the nectar of various flowers, giving it a rich and complex flavor profile. The diverse flora in the region contributes to the unique taste and high quality of the honey. I bought several jars of honey, includig the multi-floral one, and found out about the healing properties of different types of honey.

• Multifloral honey

> allergic conditions of the respiratory tract
> physical and mental exhaustion
> heart and blood vessels

• Nectar-and-honeydew honey

> physical and mental exhaustion
> heart and circulatory system
> digestive disorders

• Lime honey

> upper and lower respiratory tract
> heart and circulatory system
> nervous system, stress

• Dandelion honey

> rheumatic diseases
> inflammation of the liver
> gallbladder anemia

• Honeydew honey from deciduous trees

> kidneys and urinary tract
> liver and bile ducts
> digestive tract, intestines

• Rapeseed honey

> liver and bile ducts
> heart and coronary vessels
> inflammation of the respiratory tract

• Acacia honey

> digestive tract disorders
> kidneys and urinary tract
> colds

Thus, Siedlce Honey Festival is not only a celebration of beekeepers, but also an event promoting local traditions and culture, which attracts numerous participants from Siedlce County and beyond it every year. This year it was the 19th Honey Festival in Siedlce. Events like the Honey Festival help promote awareness and appreciation for beekeeping.

This featured blog entry was written by Vic_IV from the blog Our Stay in Poland.
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