Sustainable Cities And Communities

Bees play an important role in maintaining ecological balance and natural biodiversity. Bees are pollinators of most plants and an important link to the natural balance and existence of life on Earth. Urban beekeeping at Cankarjev dom was launched in April 2011 when so-called stacking beehives were first installed on one of our cultural centre’s roof terraces on the initiative of Cankarjev dom’s employee Franc Petrovčič, a recipient of the Anton Janša Decoration (Order III). In the beginning, our hives were home to three colonies of Carniolan bees, while today, during peak reproductive seasons, our bees can reach a high of about 500,000. The quality of the honey made by Cankarjev dom’s bees is assessed and validated by a reference laboratory in Bremen where the honey is sent for an annual analysis. Cankarjev dom holds the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association Certificate of Entry into the Register of Producers of Slovenian Honey with a Protected Designation of Origin.

The annual honey harvest at CD depends on the number of bee families and the weather conditions when the flowers are in full bloom. Nevertheless, CD tends to produce 20 kilograms of honey per bee family each year. Approx. 10,000-15,000 bees survive winter, in March new broods hatch, and a height is reached in midsummer when each hive provides a home for 50,000 bees. Bees in the city also increase biodiversity by pollinating urban plants. In the urban environment, grazing is favourable to bees; although it may not appear so at first sight, there are many trees, groves, and gardens in the city. Cankarjev dom’s bees have immediate access to the Tivoli Park, the Castle and Rožnik hills, urban ornamental plants and numerous tree-lined alleys. In pollinating urban plants bees help increase the city’s biodiversity. 

Cankarjev dom celebrates World Bee Day each year on 20 May, and since 2015 has been member of Ljubljana’s Bee Path, a project launched by the Municipality of Ljubljana. 

The Path is dedicated to the well-being of urban bees and raising awareness about the importance of bees in our ecosystem.
 

Situated in the very centre of Slovenia’s capital, amid Edvard Ravnikar’s imposing modernist architecture, the park outside Cankarjev dom is a natural heritage site and a green oasis of serenity within the urban bustle. Landscaped with mighty trees, Cankarjev dom’s greenest hall provides a unique venue for a wide variety of social, corporate or scientific events. There are ten tree species growing in the park, almost a half of which have reached the venerable age of 230.
Pursuant to the guidelines of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, we have sought to landscape the park following the desired layout in three vegetation levels: the grass area and flowerbeds, shrubs not exceeding the height of a human, and tall trees. 

The Council of Europe Park has become a haven of tranquillity in the midst of urban Ljubljana, an attractive new venue hosting cultural or corporate events and offering sumptuous catering services, as well as a vibrant natural setting for social gatherings. 

There is a small library at the visitors’ disposal for an enjoyable read over a cup of coffee, in the shade of our trees.

Cankarjev dom, built according to the plans of architect Edvard Ravnikar (1907–93), represents a prominent example of 20th-century European architecture. Within the context of Ljubljana's Republic Square, Cankarjev dom has been classified as a cultural heritage site of national importance, i.e., a cultural monument of art-historical, architectural and historic value. 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the death of this eminent architect. The Government of the Republic of Slovenia designated 2023 as the Year of Architect Edvard Ravnikar, in celebration of his extensive architectural output.

The Council of Europe Park has been protected as a monument of designed nature and a natural monument. Therefore, all interventions in the park must comply with the instructions of the competent institutions.

In renovating our venue, attention has been given to preserving the original atmosphere and the elements that remind us of our rich cultural heritage, in addition to ensuring the comfort of living and functionality of the premises.

At the same time, we have paid regard to using the same materials that Ravnikar applied in the late seventies and early eighties, while striving to preserve the original design objects. The preserved items include the front door and restored red plastic handles, as well as the original shelter lights.

In agreement with the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, we have installed a dual-sided outdoor digital advertising screen in the Council of Europe Park, which allows us to address new target groups also in the area outside Cankarjev dom.