Dr. Emilova

The clinic’s story begins with its founder. In 1992 Dr. Lyudmila Emilova — a specialist in internal medicine, cardiology and rheumatology — applied a fruit-fasting regimen to herself and, impressed by its effect, resolved to found a clinic around it. It opened in Varna the following year.

The method descends from the Bulgarian naturopath Lidiya Kovacheva (1914–2002), who softened classical therapeutic fasting with fresh seasonal fruits and herbal tea with honey. At the clinic it is applied with medical discipline: a regimen shaped by examinations, the patient’s own wishes and the doctor’s instructions.

Around the fasting stands a full programme — diagnostics on modern equipment, physiotherapy, movement and water treatments, detox, personal food plans, health lectures — carried by a team of ten doctors. More than fifty thousand patients from around the world have passed through.

The clinic follows the seasons: autumn to spring at the Sunny Day complex by Sts. Constantine and Helena near Varna, summer at Borovets Hills in the Rila mountains.

In 2007 Dr. Emilova received the Mikhail Lomonosov medal for her contribution to Russian–Bulgarian relations and to health preservation. What we recognise in her clinic is the long patience of craft — the same slow, deliberate making we bring to an evening of music.