Skopje, 2 April 2025 (MIA) — The National Gallery marked World Autism Awareness Day by running creative workshops for children during which they made insect hotels.

According to the National Gallery in a press release, participants included students from several elementary and high schools, including Nevena Georgieva Dunja Elementary, St. Clement of Ohrid Elementary, and St. Naum of Ohrid Special Education High School.

The schoolchildren worked on creating the special hotels for insects together with students from the state university's Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

The finished insect hotels will be donated to the Skopje Zoo, organizers said.

According to the press release, the project was important not only for raising public awareness about people with autism but also for raising collective awareness and responsibility for nature in general. 

"Climate change and natural disasters make it necessary to educate our youngest about responsible nature management," the release said. mr/