We are delighted to announce that our speaker for September is Dr Riad Alsous, internationally known as The Beekeeper of Aleppo.
Dr Alsous began beekeeping in 1974. A former senior lecturer at the University of Damascus, he established the university’s Beekeeping Department before leading the Food Technology Department. His academic work includes publications such as:
Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Syrian Honey
· Stability of Water-Soluble Vitamins in Honey During Processing
· Honeybees as Detectors of Environmental Pollution
· Bee Races and Honey Quality
Following the outbreak of civil war in Syria, Dr Alsous and his family fled to the UK, settling in Huddersfield. In 2015, he launched a pioneering breeding and improvement programme for the English Black Bee. In recognition of his contribution to science and beekeeping, he was awarded an honorary PhD by the University of York in January 2025.
Dr Alsous will speak on:
“The Beekeeper of Aleppo and the English Native Honeybee Breeding Programme”
The bestselling novel The Beekeeper of Aleppo — based on Dr Alsous’s story — has sold over a million copies worldwide. If you haven’t read it, we highly recommend you do (available via Amazon, Waterstones, and others).
All BBKA members welcome – please join us!
https://calendar.app.google/sgTGYzwX8pRh2SXm8
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61zDFL+bJ6L._SL1250_.jpg
