With a passion for the land, the Ladin Cultural Institute “Majon di Fascegn” is proud to combine culture, identity, and biodiversity in the restoration of the historic "Bait de la èves de Ronch’’ - a historic apiary dating back to the 1950s, located in the Ronch area. The structure, distinguished by its unique architecture -featuring a façade of shaped wooden shingles and traditional colorful decorations - will serve as the centerpiece of a new open-air museum section: the “Vidor de la èves” (Garden of the Bees). This initiative is the result of a significant collaborative effort involving the Majon di Fascegn, the Edmund Mach Foundation, the Fiemme and Fassa Beekeepers’ Association, the APOP service of the Autonomous Province of Trento, the Superintendency for Cultural Heritage, and local professional beekeepers.
The official inauguration will take place on Friday, October 16, starting at 4:00 PM, at the Institute’s headquarters in San Giovanni di Fassa. During the afternoon, the architectural restoration and the educational potential of the site will be presented, alongside in-depth discussions on local beekeeping and the historical and linguistic research conducted by the Institute. The event will conclude with open working sessions for citizens, beekeepers, and enthusiasts, designed to gather stories, personal accounts, and ideas to help shape future initiatives and fully realise the value of this new shared cultural asset.
The apiary is a one-of-a-kind structure and a true gem for the Majon di Fascegn. It stands as an ethnographic element of extraordinary value, narrating a profound story of life, migration, and return to the valley—reflecting both seasonal labor and a deep-rooted connection to Alpine tradition. Located in the meadows adjacent to the Institute and the Ladin Museum of Fassa, the "Bee Garden" (Giardino delle api) will feature an educational and botanical trail, enriched with native plant species and traditional crops. This initiative revives a historical practice that was once central to the valley’s agrarian economy, transforming it into a vibrant, multidisciplinary laboratory.
This initiative was developed as part of the European Horizon Europe project "DIGICHer," in which the Ladin Cultural Institute is an active partner. In line with its objectives, the Institute has adopted the CARE principles (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, Ethics) regarding the participatory enhancement of heritage. This approach focuses on the conscious and ethical engagement of various local stakeholders—spanning the economic, cultural, linguistic, and social spheres—with the aim of making the community the true custodian and protagonist of its own historical and cultural legacy.