Cherry Kyustendilska and its habitat

Cherry Kyustendilska does not have a specific variety. It is crisp, with firm flesh, extremely tasty, and resistant to transport. The unique taste of Cherry Kyustendilska is due to the specific climate and the place where it grows, and this is also its biggest problem. Благодарение на температурната разлика между хладните нощи и топлите дни, плодовете натрупват по-голямо количество на захари и аромати и това прави вкусът им уникален. Основният проблем е, че това изисква малко по-дълго време в сравнение с другите райони на България, в които се отглеждат череши. Водени от консуматорският си интерес хората се насищат на черешови плодове, преди тези в Кюстендил да са обрани. Така на практика хората хапват череши със по-ниски вкусови качества и когато вече са се наситили се насочват към други плодове, а прибирането на реколтата в Кюстендилската долина тепърва започва. Липсата на пазар за прясна консумация принуждава стопаните отглеждащи Череша Кюстендилска да продават плодовете ѝ за преработка, въпреки, че те са най-вкусните в света.

The Institute of Agriculture has created 11 varieties that are resistant to climate change. Some of the varieties are self-fertile and do not need to be pollinated by other varieties. Some of the cherry varieties created by the Institute of Agriculture in Kyustendil are Bulgarian Crunch, Kyustendil Crunch, Victory, Mizia, Stefania, and Danelia.

I am the most delicious! I am the most cared for! I am the most important! Since time began, the people here have taken care so that me and my sisters could feel good, to live, to develop and to bear fruit.

My name is Cherry Kyustendilska and in these lands I am the center of attention!

Read about the Cherry Kyustendilska and its habitat

49 min Ι Documentary Ι 2026 Ι Bulgaria

The film is a poetic and informative journey into the heart of the Kyustendil Basin, aptly called the Orchard of Bulgaria, dedicated to the cherry producers of the region.

Cherry Kyustendilska is a personal film about a paradox I grew up with. In the Kyustendil Valley, some of the most flavorful cherries in the world are grown, yet they rarely reach consumers as fresh fruit. Instead, they are sent for industrial processing, while people eat lower-quality cherries.

While filming, local elections were taking place. This coincidence allowed me to include the voices of mayoral candidates and to place the everyday struggle of cherry producers within a broader social and political context.

The film was made independently, with my own resources, between 2023 and 2024. More than a story about agriculture, Cherry Kyustendilska is a film about value — what we grow, what we lose, and what we choose not to see.

Yaroslav Stavrev - director, cinematographer and editor of the film.

The documentary Cherry Kyustendilska is realised with the support of:

The State Archives – Kyustendil, National Agricultural Advisory Service - Kystendil, Institute of Agriculture - Kyustendil

I would like to express my gratitude to:
Professor Nedyalko Nedyalkov for allowing me to use his original music in the film, and to the lecturers at the Faculty of Arts at South-West University "Neofit Rilski" for the knowledge they imparted to me.

I would like to thank Stanislav Stoilov and Nikolay Nikiforov, who helped me save my car during the winter shoot, and everyone who contributed to the making of the film.

I would like to thank all the participants and people who contributed to the making of the film.

I would like to thank everyone who refused to cooperate and thus motivated me even more.

Last but not least, I would like to thank my family for their inspiration, patience, and understanding.

Thank you!!!