The quality of Hvar's honey is recognised at Apimondia 2011 in Buenos Aires, while Stari Grad's Boris Buratovic also collects awards in Osijek.
Local Hvar resident Boris Buratovic is enjoying international recognition for the quality of his honey, after coming fourth in the mono-floral honey section of the 42nd International Beekeeping Congress, Apimondia 2011, which took place in Buenos Aires, according to a press release on the official Stari Grad Municipal website on October 9, 2011.
Buratovic won the award for his rosemary honey, one of the prevalent herbs grown on Hvar, which is best known in flora and fauna terms for its lavender - it was once the most important centre of lavender production in Dalmatia, and celebrates the harvest every year at the Velo Grablje festival.
Apimondia, the Beekeepers Federation
Apimondia is the official international federation of the associations of beekeepers and was founded in 1949 in Amsterdam at the International Apiarist Congress. Its mandate is to promote all aspects of apicultural development globally.
Buratovic followed up his South American success with domestic medals in the Days of Honey conference, which took place in northern Croatia in Osijek from October 5 - 9, 2011, winning a gold medal for his rosemary honey and a silver in the floral honey division.
Beekeeping is a serious business on Hvar, with more than 100 beekeepers on the island maintaining over 3,000 hives, of which half are members of the Lavender Beekeepers Society, according to the Jelsa Tourist Office.
Types of Honey on Hvar
Important varieties of honey produced on Hvar include rosemary, which is in bloom from February to April; sage, which blooms in April and May; and the island's trademark crop, aromatic lavender from June and July. The high quality end product is a popular souvenir for departing tourists.
The success of Buratovic highlights a lesser highlighted side to the island of Hvar, which is better known for the party atmosphere of Hvar Town, which is attracting celebrities in ever greater numbers. Two notable visits in 2011 which grabbed international headlines were Prince Harry's decision to jump into a nightclub swimming club fully clothed, while Beyonce revealed her baby bump to the world at trendy Hula Hula Beach Club.
Hvar's Outstanding Natural Products
Away from the glitz and glamour, Hvar's agricultural sector is producing some high quality products which are being appreciated internationally. In addition to the honey and lavender oil, the wines of Hvar are attracting global attention, with the vineyards of Zlatan Plenkovic producing the only Grad Cru wine in Croatia.
Another important crop is olives, and the virgin olive oil produced from Hvar's fields, many of which have been cultivated without interruption since the Ancient Greeks arrived in 385 BC, is among the best in the world.
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