a swarm of collecting bees

Along the Green Belt, the backbone of the European biotope system, landscapes of historic, sociologic and/or ecologic significance are selectively explored and sampled. Local contacts are established with simple tools and at a personal level. The principle of the honey bee – crossing the border from East to West and vice-versa – is a central point of the programme. It is considered as a substantial contribution to the understanding of heterogeneity and diversity.

The representation of diversity will be considered more important than the quantity. The travels along the border generate a kaleidoscope of impressions, histories and evolutions, giving on the whole a colourful and ambivalent access to European history.

Following the principle of the honey bees, the excursions focus on the local populations and in particular on the beekeepers with their direct, exemplary relation to the former intra-European demarcation line. Like in a bee dance, even the most incidental encounters can be seen as a source of information. The aim of the project is to interweave the single coincidences to a comprehensive picture.

travel grants

Travel grants give young Europeans the opportunity to explore the former border regions. A journey in this unique natural space, this intra-European scarf, mark of Europe‘s eventful history.

An exploratory flight, in which personal experiences and observations on historic, social and ecologic issues are collected. The essence of all this is represented by the honey collected. Each honey jar explains its origins, tells a story and concentrates landscapes from both sides of the man-made borders. Personal anecdotes of the travellers and their local encounters provide direct access to Europe‘s eventful history.