PHOTO WALK THROUGH FOČA’S “BLUEBERRY DAYS” DRAWS CROWDS AND PRAISE

The traditional event organized by the Foča Tourist Organization, “Blueberry Days,” once again attracted a large number of visitors this year. Held in King Peter’s Square in Foča, the festival offered guests a sweet experience with freshly picked blueberries from the surrounding mountains, delicious cakes, and various natural products made from this beloved wild fruit.

PHOTO: TO Foča

Cakes, sponges, doughnuts, lamingtons, juices, jams, liqueurs, and a variety of homemade treats shared a common ingredient this evening — blueberries harvested from elevations over 1,000 meters above sea level.

Vojka Stojić presented blueberries and herbal teas gathered from the Tara River Canyon plateau.

“We have fresh blueberries, blueberry jam and juice, and different types of teas. We pick the blueberries at Konjsko Polje below Ljubišnja, and also at Radovina and Meštrevac. The price is 20 marks per kilogram, and demand is really high — everything has sold out,” Stojić told Radio Foča.

A similar story was heard at the stand of Velenka Stanojević, who explained that this year’s blueberry yield was modest, making the harvest more labor-intensive.

“A kilogram goes for 25 marks, which is truly a fair price for this gift of nature. We gather them on Zelengora and Vučevo mountains. We also offer liqueurs and juices made from blueberries and cranberries, as well as cherry, wild blackberry, raspberry, and cornelian cherry,” Stanojević said.

Visitors were thrilled by the wide selection and irresistible flavors of this mountain treasure.

“I tried the blueberry cake, and I bought fresh blueberries for my son — he especially loves them,” said Vanja Jaglučić.

Velinka Košir emphasized the health benefits of the fruit.

“All praise to the organizers. The cakes are amazing, and the blueberries are top quality. Everything is homemade and natural,” she said.

The director of the Tourist Organization, Spomenka Popadić, noted that this is the 18th edition of Blueberry Days — a testament to the importance and popularity of the event.

“There’s a great economic benefit for our berry pickers. Beyond the blueberry itself, which is native to and recognizable in our region, we’re also promoting the areas where it’s harvested — namely the Sutjeska National Park and the Tara Nature Park,” Popadić said.

The “Blueberry Days” festival will continue in Trebinje, in front of the local Tourist Organization office.