Page 93 - Zbornik_Konf_2019

https://doi.org/10.15414/2019.9788055220703

4 International Scientific Conference Abstracts Book
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YEAR (2019) OF SIGNIFICANT ANNIVERSARIES OF SLOVAK BEEKEEPING

Ján Jančovic
Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra,
Slovak Republic; E-mail.: jan.jancovic@uniag.sk
Beekeeping has a long and rich tradition in Slovak Republic and is still one of the most
advanced in Europe and the world. In the past, several Alumbrados, namely Anton Bernolák,
Juraj Fándly, Ján Glosius, Ján Čaplovič, contributed to the development of our beekeeping. This
year marks the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Slovak Beekeepers Association and
the 100th anniversary of the Regional Centre of Beekeeping Societies in Slovakia. The first
attempt to establish a central beekeeping organization in Slovakia was the establishment of
the Slovak Beekeepers Association in 1869 in Pružina. Its founder was Roman Catholic pastor,
national revivalist Štefan Závodník (1813 Horná Poruba – 1885 Pružina). In the July issue of
Obzor magazine in 1869, Štefan Závodník issued a response to Slovak beekeepers regarding
the founding of the Slovak Beekeepers Association. Starting with the program and statutes, he
became its first chairman. Ján Kiš, a successful fruit farmer and beekeeper, became the vice-
chairman. His wife Jozefína Kišová was the first Slovak beekeeper. In the field of folk
education, Štefan Závodník contributed not only to the development of Slovak Beekeeping and
Pomology but also to the establishment of Sunday schools, handicrafts, moral, economic and
financial associations. He was a Slovak candidate in the Hungarian Assembly elections. He was
persecuted and sentenced by Hungary's secular and ecclesiastical Authorities. He is the
author of several dramas and poems. He collaborated on publishing Čajda's Beekeeper in
Slovakia (1871). In 1872 in the Obzor magazine in Issue 34 was published an appeal for the
Slovak public to collect objects of all human activity and natural beauty photographs for the
World Exhibition in 1873 in Vienna. After this appeal, in addition to Slovaks from Slovakia and
Slovaks from the Great Plain, apiculture items were sent for this exhibition. Attempts by the
Pruzina's Beekeeping Association for its organized form in Slovakia in the 19th century failed
due to national repression by the Hungarian government, which did not recognize the statutes
of the Association. Therefore, the Association in 1875 ceased to exist. In 1918 the
establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic and the acquirement of national freedom, after
the 50 years, the unification and central management of beekeeping associations, initiated by
experienced and enthusiastic Slovak beekeepers. This happened on August 15 1919, at the
th
constituent General Assembly of the Regional Centre of Beekeeping Associations for Slovakia
established in Bratislava. The date of the General Assembly was not accidental. It was
convened by the organizers on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the first National
Beekeeping Association in 1869 in Pružina. They declared that it was a renewal and
continuation of this Association. Delegates representing 27 associations attended the
constitutive General Assembly of the Regional Centre of Beekeeping Associations for Slovakia.
Dr. Ján Gašperík (1876 Dovalovo – 1949 Nováky), a dedicated organizer, innovator, and
historian of beekeeping, became a chairman. The Beekeeping Organization has undergone
several organizational and name changes over the years. The independent Slovak Beekeepers
Association, based in Bratislava, was re-established in 1968. The uniform Beekeeping
Organization under the name Slovak Beekeepers Association was functioning until 1990. After
new socio-economic conditions, several smaller associations were formed.
Keywords: beekeeping, Slovak Republic, history, Beekeepers Association.

4 International Scientific Conference Agrobiodiversity Nutrition, Health and Quality of Human and Bees Life |93
th
September 11–13, 2019