Whirring beehives are not only to be found in the countryside, but also in Kassel: in Germany's second greenest city with all its flowering parks and gardens, the industrious colonies really feel at home.
Victor, you are known as Kassel's first city beekeeper. What do you love about your work?
There are two things: firstly, I enjoy the direct access to nature - and that in the middle of an urban area! And secondly, my bee colonies are located on different roofs in the city, so I often have a magnificent view.
You know the most beautiful and greenest spots in our city. Which three highlights should visitors to Kassel not miss?
Kassel's pearls are sometimes somewhat hidden - so it's worth setting out and looking for them! One such path should definitely lead to the Karlsaue with the adjacent BuGa grounds. For me, it is the green lung in the middle of the city. And of course our bees fly around there too.
Another highlight is, of course, the Bergpark with the Hercules, which towers and watches over Kassel. We have also set up bee colonies around Wilhelmshöhe and the Bergpark. Perhaps the most exposed location is the roof of the Schlosshotel Bad Wilhelmshöhe Conference & Spa.
My third highlight is the Kassel Market Hall, which is a wonderful meeting place for everyone who loves regional food. This is exactly what is true of Kassel's city honey: bees stand for regionality with their flight radius of three kilometres.
Do you have a favourite quarter in the city?
No, every quarter has its own special features and advantages. For a long time, we were at home with our business in Kassel's Nordstadt. But this often underestimated district ultimately produced the best honey in the state of Hesse. We received the Hessian State Prize for the 2014 harvest. So it's worth taking a close look at each district and getting to know it.
Imagine you have visitors and it's raining non-stop. What do you do with your guests?
When it's raining, the museums in Kassel are of course a good choice. I particularly enjoy taking my visitors to the GRIMMWELT Kassel, but also to the extraordinary Museum für Sepulkralkultur.
Which restaurant do you go to when you don't feel like cooking?
I love to cook for my life. When I go out to eat, I prefer to go where they know how to use regional ingredients. For example, at the Renthof, at "La Bottega Veneta" in Wilhelmshöhe or at the tapas restaurant "Chiringuito" in Vorderer Westen.
How would you describe Kassel to a friend who has never been here?
So, Kassel is really a surprising city. Just let yourself be inspired by the cultural treasures, the many places to go out, the impressive Bergpark and the friendliness of the people who live here!
Thank you for the interview!
