Where the Wild Bees are

The biologist Fabiana and Elide, the illustrator, propose an artistic-educational performance that allows you to explore the world of wild bees. You will discover that not all bees make honey, have a queen, or live together in a hive!

Through the encounters of Melina, a young honeybee who leaves her hive for the first time,we will meet a variety of bees with different characteristics and unique lifestyles. The tinymining bee, the leafcutter bee, and the mason bees are all crucial and necessary for the well-being of our ecosystem. We will highlight the importance of pollination as well as how to care for these special animals. At the end of the performance, a workshop will be proposed where children will create their own bee puppets by choosing one of the characters, they liked most in the story.

This interdisciplinary artistic project focuses on the intersections between art, science, and environmental issues. The objective is to educate people on the presence of bees in our ecosystem. Adopting a humorous format, with a pedagogical nature, “Where the wild bees are?” addresses the discovery of wild bees and their mission in maintaining biodiversity. Also, this performance critically addresses the ecological challenges linked to the disappearance of bees.

Fabiana, the biologist, and narrator of the story shares the life of Melina, a little bee that leaves her hive in the heart of the city for the first time. In this urban landscape, we will discover the mining bees that dig underground tunnels, the giant blue-winged carpenter bees, and the leafcutter bees that decorate their homes with rose petals. All these bees are different but have one thing in common: the flowers, whose nectar and pollen they feed on.

Using an overhead projector, the bees are projected onto a white screen, where collages, prints, and various materials are superimposed. In addition, the show also offers a reflection on the importance of inclusion and valuing diversity, an important to discuss. At the end of the presentation, Fabiana (the biologist) will give some instructions on how to protect and preserve the different species of wild bees in cities. A puppet creation workshop will be offered, where people can build the characters they liked the most from the story.

Duration: 30 min + 30 min
Age 3+