Beekeeper
Dario Mardešić
A graduate agricultural engineer and beekeeper, in charge of the work with the bees and of developing BeeCenter’s beekeeping programmes.
About us
From the first hives to the Honey Garden
BeeCenter is run by Dario and David Mardešić, brothers and beekeepers from Belgrade. Their beekeeping story began with study and hands-on work, and later moved into the city, where inside the Honey Garden they built the apiary, the education and the programmes for the public and for companies.
01Our story
How the beekeeping story began
Dario took his first steps in beekeeping while studying at the Faculty of Agriculture. What began as part of his education soon turned into a serious interest and hands-on work.
He carried on gaining practical experience in Orašac, with his mentor Dragiša, where he learned to work with colonies and picked up knowledge that books alone cannot give.
David soon joined Dario, and beekeeping became a shared business. BeeCenter began when they started passing that experience on through urban beekeeping, education and work with people.
02How it came about
From beekeeping to BeeCenter
The Faculty of Agriculture
The first encounter with hands-on beekeeping, during his studies.
Orašac, at Dragiša’s
Hands-on work in Orašac and learning alongside an experienced beekeeper.
David joins
David joins Dario, and beekeeping becomes a shared business.
The Silosi
The GAIA Movement begins turning the neglected ground behind the Silosi into green space, and within that BeeCenter develops the apiary and the beekeeping facilities.
The Honey Garden
The Honey Garden today ties together the apiary, the api chamber, the glass observation hive, the education programmes and the event space.
03Urban beekeeping
Urban beekeeping in Belgrade
Urban beekeeping lets us bring bees close to people where they live. The Honey Garden is an apiary, a classroom and a meeting point with nature all at once.
For us beekeeping does not end at the hives. So in the garden and across the city we plant honey plants, tend green space and start activities that make a better environment for pollinators.
Our work also reaches beyond the garden. Through the Hive of Knowledge and other education programmes we bring the world of bees to children, schools and companies.
We want a city with more roomfor nature, pollinators and learning.
04The team
Who meets you in the garden
The programmes are led by people who work with the bees every day and know the apiary the experience takes place in.
Beekeeper
David Mardešić
A graduate agricultural engineer and beekeeper, in charge of BeeCenter’s growth, partnerships, programmes and the work with visitors.
05Association and qualifications
Connected to the beekeeping community
BeeCenter is connected to the Belgrade Beekeepers’ Association, which brings together the beekeepers of Belgrade and is an important part of the professional community we rely on for exchanging knowledge and experience.
Our work with the bees and with the education programmes rests on practical experience, professional training and cooperation with experienced beekeepers, led by Stanko Rajić, the president of the Belgrade Beekeepers’ Association.
- AssociationBelgrade Beekeepers’ Association
- MentorStanko Rajić
- TrainingTraining and certification in apipedagogy and apitourism, completed training as apitherapists and in first aid for an anaphylactic reaction
- The spaceThe Honey Garden, developed inside a space whose transformation was started by GAIA Pokret
06Partners
Partners and community
Over the years BeeCenter has worked with companies, foundations, embassies and institutions through education, events, planting, CSR projects and support for the growth of the Honey Garden.
The garden also hosts evenings that are not ours, from a book launch to a bazaar and a choir under the string lights. The place works even when we are not teaching.
Who we have worked with
Our own hive
BeeCenter works inside the Honey Garden in Dom kulture Silosi. The transformation of the space was started by the GAIA Movement, while our beekeeping work connects us to the Belgrade Beekeepers’ Association and to many partners.
07Next step
Visit the garden or start a partnership
Write to us about what you have in mind: a walk through the garden, a workshop for children, a day with your team or a venue for an event.