Visit of the President of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia, Mr. Gilles Ratia, to Soledar

The President of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia, Mr. Gilles Ratia, visited the Salt Shaft in Soledar (Donetsk Region) on 12 April 2013 within the framework of his visit to Ukraine aimed at the inspection of the preparation stage of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress.

The Salt Shaft is one of the most interesting tourist sites in Easter Ukraine. The salt mining in the shaft is over as per moment. The depth of the shaft is 300 meters under the ground. The tourists see the grand galleries excavated in the salt-rock as they descend down. The museum, the working church and the speleotherapy sanatorium “Salt Symphony” are established there. There is also an exposition of salt figures made by local masters, including the Palm which imitates the well-known Palm of Mertsalov, the symbol of Donbas depicted in the Coat of arms of Donetsk Oblast. The air of the Salt Shaft is very useful for breathing as it is additionally saturated by the air of the adjacent shaft where the salt is being mined.

The President of Apimondia, Mr. Gilles Ratia, saw the shaft and its facilities and participated in the football match held between the members of the Organizing Committee and the Beekeepers Association of Luhansk Regions. The match ended in a draw. Friendship and fruitful cooperation for the benefit of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress was acknowledged to be a winner.