‘’The Way of Bees” is an exciting exhibition dedicated to the wonderful world of bees and their products. It is open at the Civic Museum of Zoology in Rome until 29 May 2022.
The exhibition, promoted by Roma Culture, is curated by Massimo Capula and Carla Marangoni, with the main design by Paola Marzoli.
Eye-Opening Exhibition in Rome
What to expect at the Way of Bees
The exhibition has been prepared with a combination of the museum’s rich and intriguing entomological collections, beekeeping materials and fascinating videos. All of these work together to guide the visitor along the path of discovering the ‘way of bees’. It takes them on a journey from the particular life cycle of these beautiful bugs to the extraordinary social organization and the key role they play in plant pollination.
The path continues with the presentation of their main products which humans make use of including honey, pollen, and propolis. The properties of these substances are used in many sectors such as food, medical and agricultural.
Research of bees is also highlighted in the exhibition, and using bees as bioindicators can provide important information on the state of health of the environment. At the center of the exhibition there is some of the most common pieces of equipment used in beekeeping. It will also be possible for the visitor to have an engaging sensory experience by simulating a journey inside a beehive.
An educational exhibition
The exhibition intends to underline the importance of bees in our modern world. A huge 80% of the food that arrives on our tables is the result of the work of these and other pollinators. They also play an integral role in maintaining biodiversity, allowing visitors to gain a greater understanding of the protection of these extraordinary insects.
In fact, the use of pesticides in agriculture and the increase in pollution have caused a huge reduction in the number of these insects in the world. They are pollinating insects which allow for the formation of fruits and vegetables, transporting pollen from one flower to another. Through this activity they guarantee the presence of different plant species, a very important element for the health of nature.
During the visit, the public will be guided by the Ape Agnes, the mascot of the exhibition which, in addition to revealing some curiosities about bees, will be the protagonist of a game-quiz with multiple answers. All visitors in possession of the free app “AppAgnese” can participate in the game, downloadable on all mobile devices.
The questions posed by the app will be a stimulus to reflect on the causes of the progressive disappearance of bees, and on the need to adopt new behaviors that help bees to survive.
After completing the game, the visitor will receive a “Certificate of Awareness and Commitment” on their app which can then be shared on social networks with the hashtag #iostoconlapeagnese which translates to “I’m with the Agnes Bees”.
The Civic Museum of Zoology can be found near the stunning Villa Borghese in Rome. The address is Via Ulisse Aldrovandi, 18 and admission to the museum is free.