Exhibition on beekeeping and biodiversity at the Princenhaags Museum

In light of the fact that 100 years ago (on 27 April 1925) the beekeepers' association de Haghe was established, a special exhibition will be set up at the Princenhaags Museum in the second quarter of 2025.

Beekeeping was (and is) an important part of agriculture and horticulture. The bees provided the valuable sweet substance “honey” and for the use of stearin, of course, the beeswax for making candles.

From an important secondary occupation, beekeeping has grown into a nature hobby. The beekeepers' organisation, the Dutch Beekeepers Association (NBV), adopts the term “biodiversity” as an important policy principle. Where do honey bees source their food? From the environment from which other insects, including wild bees, must also obtain their food. 

Modern beekeepers are aware that protecting and promoting biodiversity is a task/assignment that particularly falls to beekeepers. Beekeepers often collaborate with others who share the same goal. So much has changed in beekeeping over the past 100 years. Beekeepers have developed into “biodiversity protectors” and collaborators with other “workers towards a better living environment”.

At the initiative of the Bredaas Beekeepers' Collective, together with Natuurplein de Baronie, KNNV, the City in a Park Foundation, IVN, Breda Groen, Zuylen Cemetery, Plukroute Princenhage, and several private initiatives, insight is provided into what bees do for biodiversity.

Mandy van Elzen shows how to artistically shape urban plants, and Tamara Muller has created a special story using beehives.

In addition to the exhibition, the Princenhags Museum also offers a parallel programme. A series of lectures, a film night, and several walks (organised by IVN, Plukroute Princenhage, and Zuylen Cemetery) will be held.

The exhibition at the Princenhags Museum will be opened on Saturday, 5 April at 3:00 PM by Mayor Paul Depla of the Municipality of Breda.