Ukrainian Beekeepers Day

Ukrainian Beekeepers Day is an official professional holiday in Ukraine, celebrated annually on August 19th. It was established by President Leonid Kuchma in 1997.

The idea to celebrate Beekeepers Day was first voiced by the Ministry of Agriculture of Ukraine and the Association of Beekeepers of Ukraine. The President supported their initiative and issued an official decree on August 15, 1997. Four days later, Beekeepers Day was celebrated for the first time.

The holiday was established to recognize the contribution of beekeeping to the Ukrainian economy. According to a FAO report published in 2007, Ukraine was the leading honey producer in Europe. Incidentally, commercial beekeeping was founded in the early 19th century by the Ukrainian beekeeper Petro Prokopovych. Prokopovych was the first to use frames in beehives.

Ukrainian Beekeepers Day is celebrated with agricultural fairs, honey tastings, award ceremonies, conferences, roundtables, folk music and dance concerts, and other cultural events.