The work of the women of the police stations is invaluable, who through the Mérida Comunitaria program preserve the ancient tradition of caring for bees, a symbol of balance and ancestral wisdom that connects the community with its cultural heritage, said municipal president Cecilia Patrón Laviada.
Within the framework of the activities of the annual assembly of the Unesco Subnetwork of Creative Cities of Gastronomy, which take place in the city of Mérida, representatives of 18 countries participating in this meeting visited the Meliponario Cooperative “Lol Be” (Flor del Camino), in the Chablekal police station.
There the mayor highlighted that Mérida is a city rich in history, architecture, natural and cultural heritage.
During their stay, visitors lived a community tourism experience and learned about the Mayan tradition of meliponiculture, participated in a demonstration of the honey extraction process, learned a little more about herbalism and enjoyed a tasting of melipona honey.
“It is essential that we continue working together to preserve our cultural heritage and protect the environment,” emphasized the municipal president.
“Traditional meliponiculture is not only a family livelihood, but it preserves the legacy of our Mayan ancestors because taking care of bees is taking care of life.”
Community tourism
Likewise, he stressed that the city’s 47 police stations, like Chablekal, offer a unique community tourism experience that goes beyond an economic activity, as it connects cultures with social justice and promotes the balance between humanity and nature.
“It is an opportunity to learn, share and value the cultural and natural wealth of our city,” he added.
In addition, he highlighted the family project led by sisters Mirtha and Bertha Pool, who he said keep alive the ancient tradition of caring for the melipona bee (Melipona beecheii), a native species of great ecological, cultural and medicinal importance for the Mayan people.
“His work, which has spanned more than five years, is an example of the deep respect for nature and the wisdom inherited from his ancestors,” he added.
The activity was also attended by Flora Zapata Mendiolea, general coordinator of Social Justice and Human Development, and Armando Casares Espinosa, technical secretary of the Tourism Unit.
Mayan knowledge
Representatives from 18 countries visited the “Lol Be” cooperative in Chablekal.
Municipal program
Currently, the “Lol Be” project is part of the Mérida Comunitaria community tourism strengthening program, which has the objective of promoting authentic experiences that strengthen the local economy and the cultural identity of the communities.
Contact
The guided tour lasts one hour, the price per person is 100 pesos and is offered from Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., prior reservation by calling 9992-57-77-74.
UNESCO event
The annual assembly of the Unesco Subnetwork of Creative Cities of Gastronomy began on Thursday, October 30 and ends today, November 1, where activities were carried out in the Yucatecan capital such as keynote conferences, workshops, cultural activities, tastings and culinary presentations.