From April 10 to 13, the Japanese Pavilion, one of the most charming spaces in Ibirapuera Park, is hosting the 4th edition of Hachimitsu Matsuri. The festival celebrates native Brazilian bees and honey in all its forms.
Held in partnership with the Coleção Abelhas project, the event promises an intense program. Over four days, the public will have the chance to enjoy a bazaar, exhibitions, workshops, talks, activities for children and even flash tattoos and live painting.
With free admission and a focus on environmental education and valuing biodiversity, the festival takes on even more prominence in 2025. That’s because this year it will be attended by chef Alex Atala, a defender of native bees and one of the biggest names in Brazilian gastronomy.
Hachimitsu Matsuri brings a special program about native bees and Japanese culture to the heart of São Paulo
In Japanese, “hachimitsu” means honey and “matsuri” means festival. That’s why the essence of the event is precisely that: a sweet and educational meeting that promotes the coexistence of Japanese traditions, science, art and environmental preservation.
There will be 17 exhibitors at the bazaar with products linked to the universe of bees and honey, including brands such as Coleção Abelhas, Puhuk, Thais Kato, Ambá Ambá, Apiário Tio Rozalvo, Melissoterapia and Polinizador de Afetos.
In addition, for those who want to try honey-based delicacies, Na Na Ya Patisserie and Mori Chazeria are bringing sweets and drinks created especially for the festival.
The program also includes more than 10 lectures and workshops, covering topics such as:
- Diversity of Brazilian honeys;
- Stingless bees (Meliponini) and orchids (Euglossini);
- Observing and recording bees in the wild;
- Agroforestry gardens and conservation;
- Diversity of solitary bees.
For children, the educational workshop on stingless bees promises to teach them in a playful and fun way about the vital role of these insects for life on the planet.
Photography competition offers prizes to winners
Another highlight of the event is the 2nd Photography Competition, with incredible images of bees in categories such as Meliponini, Euglossini and semi-social bees.
The best photos will be exhibited in the pavilion and the winners will take home an Instax camera from Fujifilm, which is sponsoring the event alongside Sakura.
Finally, coordinator Flávio Yamamoto explains that the Hachimitsu Matsuri has grown with each edition:
We feel that interest in bees is growing, and an event entirely dedicated to them is a great tool for their conservation. We only protect what we know.”