Abstract

Avgust Bukovec (1878–1965) was one of the key creators of Slovenian beekeeping heritage and the initiator of the first beekeeping museum in Slovenia. As a collector, editor and visionary, as early as 1925, he proposed the establishment of a museum within the beekeeping organisation, then led it and included in it his collection of painted beehive frontal panels and other beekeeping materials. The museum was originally housed in his apiary in Ljubljana as the museum of the Slovenian Beekeeping Society and, prior to World War II, was open regularly, participated in exhibitions and was included in the society’s balance sheets. Bukovec worked in accordance with basic museological principles and left a rich legacy of manuscripts, objects and photographs. His role goes beyond collecting – he was a promoter and organiser whose vision established the importance of beekeeping heritage as a national memory.