posted 17 October 2006 09:42            

After a lifetime dedicated in full to his family and his work, Dr. Silvestro Cannamela passed away on 12 October 2006 surrounded by the affection his loving family. The announcement was made officially today, 16 October 2006, after the funeral by the bereaved sons Lucio and Fabrizio, the daughters-in-law Maria and Carla and grandchildren Chiara, Eleonora and Federico.

In close obeyance with the his last will, Apimondia - the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations and FAI – the Federation of Italian Beekeepers are disclosing only today the news to the Italian and international beekeeping community.

Silvestro Cannamela was born in Catania (Sicily, Italy) on 14 September 1924 and lived in Rome where as a young man he started his professional career in the General Confederation of Italian Agriculture (Confagricoltura), next to the Confederation’s Director-General, Count Antonio Zappi-Recordati, at the time Secretary-General of Apimondia, who in 1953 created FAI – the Federation of Italian Beekeepers’ and appointed him Director of same.

Beekeeper since 1952, Cannamela has been an authoritative representative of Confagricoltura, reaching the position of Director of General Affairs and Personnel.

In 1965 he became Secretary-General of Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations. In that same year, with the newly-elected President of Apimondia, Prof. V. Harnaj, they worked hard on reviving the Federation structure and created the International Institute of Beekeeping Economy and Technology in Bucharest, Romania. Under their strong drive, the two institutions reached levels of activity and representativeness that are still unparalleled and established strong working partnerships with FAO and other international agencies of the United Nations.

In particular, Dr. Cannamela, Prof. Harnaj and Mr. van Rappard, the Dean of Apimondia Presidents, purported the idea that bees are not bound nor affected by borders and therefore fostered the international nature of beekeeping promoting close relationships between beekeepers and scientists world-wide. They also supported the elimination of any division between East and West and organised several congresses and symposia to this effect and in this very spirit in the late 60's, 70's and early 80's.

In that same period Dr. Cannamela promoted the creation of the European Co-ordination Group on Apiculture, from which stemmed the Honey Group within the Agricultural Professional Organisations Committee in Brussels in the European Union. After collaborating to the Bulletin of Apimondia in 1965 he participated in the creation of Apiacta, the Apimondia official magazine and promoted its dissemination world-wide. In 1974 he created the magazine Apitalia for FAI. On 12 March 1978 he was elected President of FAI - the Federation of Italian Beekeepers.

In 1993 he resigned from Secretary-General of Apimondia and Mr. Riccardo Jannoni-Sebastianini took over. In 1994 he left the presidency of FAI and Mr. Raffaele Cirone was appointed as his successor.

Dr. Silvestro Cannamela acted for several years as Board Member of the Italian Institute of Apiculture, adviser to the Italian Agricultural Encyclopaedia for which he reviewed and compiled the section of beekeeping-related terms. He was appointed Knight of the Agricultural Order by the French Republic and worked as organiser and promoter of a long series of Apimondia International Apicultural Congresses as well as being active in drafting proposals of legislative initiatives for the protection and improvement of the Italian bee and its quality products. In 1995 he was nominated Honorary Member of Apimondia for his outstanding commitment in favour of international beekeeping development.

After having written important pages of Italian and international apiculture he contributed throughout his lifetime to the strengthening of associations and cultural development of the beekeeping sector and maintained throughout strong ties with his closest collaborators, until his last days, providing valuable advice and always being available to follow closely the activities of Apimondia and FAI.

To those proudly taking over from him in carrying out his legacy, there remains the challenging task of continuing his work and keeping alive his example and memory. With the bees always tucked in the heart.

Rome, 16 October 2006