Bio Beefarmer Andrey Stoychev-The Bees’ Village

We invite you on an as much imaginary walk as well as a real one to Strandzha Mountains and in particular to my bee farm in the village of Vizitsa. You wonder why? Because "above all this buzz means something. There can’t be a buzz, just buzz, buzz, buzz, without any meaning. If there is buzzing, then there’s someone that buzzes. And the only reason you make such a sound, as far as I know, is because you are a bee ... And the only reason to be a bee, as far as I know, is to make honey!"

Winnie the Pooh is right. Let's start towards the heart of Strandzha Mountains! We get in the car and drive off towards Malko Tarnovo. A hundred kilometers after Bosna hill, we turn to the left. There is no sign of the wide asphalt road. The road becomes narrow and old. It winds before the eyes like the colorful strands of a traditional Strandzha folk costume (soukman). It keeps memories of the creaking of many ox carriages, and the wind has long scattered the hasty people’s babble. On either side, like a green, deep river, the forest occupies the road. As proud keepers of old times, oak, beech, and cerris oak trees, as well as many fragrant herbs keep their secret of ancient healers - thyme, mint, chamomile, yarrow, hawthorn, yellow and red St. John's wort.

 From time to time, you come out of the breathless, undisturbed sight and you see the road signs of passed by Strandzha villages – Byala Voda, Kalovo, Zabernovo ... until the passenger sees the road sign, which says we’ve arrived to Vizitsa. Our bee farm is not far away. We pass by the quiet, picturesque  village and leave the car on the asphalt road. We step in the thick verdant forest. We walk farther down on the forest carpet and hear the famous buzz. We head towards it. In a split second the bees will kindly show their home. So you enjoy the fine view -a high, bright blue sky, a scent of forest, the song of hundreds of birds, the playful mountain breeze which is squeezing through the tree branches, and the familiar buzzing of the bee families. In the middle of the forest, you can see a small nailed door and the bee farm‘s label "The Bees’ Village", owned by Andrey Stoychev. We show childish self-will and approach fearlessly as expected guests. A train of beehives - yellow, blue, green and a lot of hectic bees that work with dedication.

The picture which opens before us is framed by dense vegetation and deciduous trees - oak, beech, cerris oak. In times of old these lands were used for crops that fed the families of the village. For many years, the forest has returned its dominion. My task as a beekeeper is to interfere gently in the honey bee life; to help them in their natural development. To understand the language of the bees, you have to love them! And then to watch them, read and know about their life organization and needs. I have inherited the beekeepers’ virtues from my grandfather, who took it from his grandpa.

 

They were all hereditary beekeepers by vocation in Strandzha Mountains. Our honey is manna honey. Since there are no crops, bees collect only plant and animal manna. Therefore Manna honey is resinous to black in color. Strandzha is deserted, but nature loves this mountain, loves the Isikiya (historical area under the ottoman empire exempt from taxes). It gives people the precious gift of manna honey! I, in turn, have accepted my mission to get it in line with the nature’s laws - as my grandfather taught me – the care for the bees and the forest is also, I think, a care for the people!

Dusk is falling. The sun has left a fiery red spot on the horizon. The bees return to their village. Buzz, buzz mixes with the song of old forest luthiers and violinists- the crickets. Nature closes in itself for another life - away from our eyes.

 

It’s time to leave The Bees’ Village – relaxed and intoxicated with the magic of this Strandzha day sweet as honey, charged with the feeling that all is going wonderfully well as in a land of milk and honey. 

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