Czech Republic hosted national beekeeping competition “Zlatá včela” (“Golden bee”)
Friday
This year’s Czech national beekeeping competition “Zlatá včela” (“Golden bee”) took place from 6th to 8th June 2025. It was hosted at the beekeeping school in Nasavrky.
All the competitors were selected through previous rounds. There were over 500 participants in total. This year we even had students older than 15 for the first time in the history of the competition. Because of this, they finally have the opportunity to visit the IMYB (International Meeting of Young Beekeepers), where competitors are aged between 12 and 18 too.
After their arrival, everyone filled in the knowledge-based test. Next, the thesis defense presentation started. Everyone had to write a 2-4-page-long thesis about a beekeeping-related topic. The papers ranged from laboratory research to raising queens and other practical activities.
During the day, we also had a visit from the Czech national television station, who came here to film a short report.
Saturday
The next day, participants went through several theoretical and practical disciplines. They had to recognize important plants, parts of a bee under a microscope, unusual beekeeping tools and honey based on its taste and appearance. Next they had to construct and wire a frame. Lastly, they had to show their experience and knowledge while working with photo frames.
In the afternoon, the six best beekeepers were selected to go to the Libáň apiary, where they were working with life bees. First they marked drones. Then they grafted larvae to make queens, did standard control of the colony and then a bit more theory. There was also one new discipline: beekeeping conversation in English.
Next we had a lecture about unusual reproduction in the world of animals. After that, we played different beekeeping-related games, talked about our experience and enjoyed the time together.
Sunday
On the last day, many important figures in Czech beekeeping joined us to reveal a new sculpture built to celebrate the school’s 75th anniversary.
Afterward, the closing ceremony finally came. Everyone got a generous award gifted by the competition’s sponsors. For the best ones, there were even several hives, frame drill and hive scale.
The first three spots were taken by Jan Kopáček, Lukáš Loukota and Adam Šimoník, who are all proud to be part of the next IMYB 2026 in Belfast.
Lukáš Loukota, Marek Matulík
Young Czech beekeepers (15, 23 years old)
Photos by Petr Kolář, Czech Beekeepers Association
