Jar of Time
Ayshe (52) and Djemal (57) live modestly, taking care of a herd of cows. They spend summers in a temporary shack near the Shiroka Polyana dam in Rhodope mountain in Bulgaria. The two support themselves by selling the dairy products they produce, but regulations on dairy production have made their livelihood illegal. Still for them, their independence and freedom is the most important.
With the onset of autumn, comes the hardest moment, when Ayshe and Djemal prepare to slaughter some of their calves and cows. Ayshe is devastated, but they cannot afford to keep and feed all their cows during the winter. The meat that they do not sell, becomes their main food supply for the winter months. They try to sell the cowhides, but that has become illegal too, with regular checks scaring merchants away. At the end of autumn Ayshe and Djemal prepare to return to the village of Birkova, where they spend the winter months. The two, together with their cows, calves and horse make the journey there on foot traversing through the mountains and along the roads.
During the difficult winter, Ayshe and Djemal live off of their supplies. With the limited touristic activity, they are having a hard time selling their dairy products - milk production is minimal in winter. The cold months give them the chance to spend time with family and rest. In winter many of their pregnant cows give birth and the herd starts to grow again.
Spring brings new hope, both for Ayshe and Djemal and for the herd. Under the snow, the cows can feel the fresh grass sprouting. Nature awakens and as the warm days come, they return to their forest home, hoping to find it intact.
With the onset of autumn, comes the hardest moment, when Ayshe and Djemal prepare to slaughter some of their calves and cows. Ayshe is devastated, but they cannot afford to keep and feed all their cows during the winter. The meat that they do not sell, becomes their main food supply for the winter months. They try to sell the cowhides, but that has become illegal too, with regular checks scaring merchants away. At the end of autumn Ayshe and Djemal prepare to return to the village of Birkova, where they spend the winter months. The two, together with their cows, calves and horse make the journey there on foot traversing through the mountains and along the roads.
During the difficult winter, Ayshe and Djemal live off of their supplies. With the limited touristic activity, they are having a hard time selling their dairy products - milk production is minimal in winter. The cold months give them the chance to spend time with family and rest. In winter many of their pregnant cows give birth and the herd starts to grow again.
Spring brings new hope, both for Ayshe and Djemal and for the herd. Under the snow, the cows can feel the fresh grass sprouting. Nature awakens and as the warm days come, they return to their forest home, hoping to find it intact.