Honey is a singular element of the Lebanese kitchen: the spoon of honey at breakfast is a daily ritual. On the other hand, the environmental conditions of its entirely local production are neglected. In other words, those who have a religious deference toward honey are the same who destroy the territory of the bees. In response to his paradox, ARA director and beekeeper Martin Accad, along with Damien Boustany Kasper and Guillaume-Gamal Abu Sina de Vaulx started a research project, supported by ARA and the Swiss Embassy, to investigate the relationship between bees and their urban environment. The aim is to increase our understanding of the Lebanese ecosystem and demonstrate the possibility of sustainable honey production in the midst of urban chaos.
The project deals with honey production from three perspectives:
- An economic perspective, initiating urban honey production in Lebanon.
- An ecological perspective, surveying the environment of honey production and locations related to the ecological history of Lebanon in innovative ways.
- A normative perspective, protecting ecosystems and developing ecological awareness.
The first honeys cultivated were launched in September under the brand of Urban Bees.
