Beekeeper Day is observed in Ukraine every August 19, celebrating the contributions of beekeeping to the country's economy. Established by President Leonid Kuchma in 1997, the holiday originated from a proposal by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Beekeepers Association of Ukraine. The first celebration took place shortly after the official decree was issued. The day honors Ukraine's status as Europe's leading honey producer, a title supported by a 2007 FAO report. Typical customs include agricultural fairs, honey tastings, awards ceremonies, conferences, and folk music and dance concerts. The holiday is not a non-working day unless it coincides with a weekend.