The centuries-old tradition of beekeeping on the island of Cres confirms that the island is a true paradise for bees, and it proudly bears the nickname 'the island of honey' thanks to the fact that it is home to more than a thousand plant species. Numerous plant species on the island of Cres are medicinal, and their nectar is transformed by bees into equally medicinal honey. Cres honey is one of the favorite souvenirs of guests of the island of Cres, and their favorite is the most famous one - sage honey.
Cres honey and sage
On Saturday, May 24th, all interested visitors can join the free a guided tour of the bee oasis with a visit to the largest sage field in the world. This very interesting tour will begin at Križić (at the turnoff for Beli) at 10 a.m., and the area through which the tour will pass is home to the largest sage field in the world. The tour will also include a visit to an apiary where visitors will be able to smell the unique scent of sage honey in production. All interested visitors will be taken on this attractive tour by Mladen Dragoslavić from Pčelarstvo Dragoslavić. He started beekeeping in the XNUMXs, and the tradition of beekeeping in his family has lasted for generations.
Sage, which has long been considered the queen of medicinal herbs, is a real challenge for bees due to its specific flower shape. It is very deep, and at the bottom of the nectar cup it is extremely thin, requiring great effort from hardworking bees to reach the nectar. Sage is also extremely important for the island of Cres because it maintains karst pastures. The root of sage is so strong that it holds the surface layer of soil, so grass grows on the ground that the sage has tripped over.
Although sage is not the only honey-producing plant on the island, local beekeepers will agree that it is the most important, as it gives Cres honey a taste of life. The Latin name of the plant, Salvia, comes from the word "salvo", which means to save or heal. That is why the name sage is often translated as savior or healer.
Today, there is a network of agencies operating on the islands of Cres and Lošinj. about fifty beekeepers united in a beekeeping association named after Don Dinko Muškardin. A passionate beekeeper and visionary, originally from Stivano, he was the first to organize the purchase of honey in a cooperative and standardize sage honey, which was then used at the Viennese court.
International Mecha Festival
Traditionally, the last weekend in May is also held International Mecha Festival, a unique festival celebrating the musical heritage of the Cres-Lošinj archipelago. The festival places special emphasis on the meh – a traditional sheepskin instrument that is characteristic of this region. The aim of the festival is to preserve and promote local musical tradition and connect performers from different countries. During the festival, musicians from Croatia, as well as many other countries, perform, showcasing the richness and diversity of the musical heritage of their regions. The festival is organized by the folklore societies Orlec from Orlec and Studenac from Nerezine.
The International Mecha Festival takes place on May 24th in Nerezine and on May 25th in Orlec. Both evenings of the festival start at 19 pm, and admission is free.
