Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

The songs of protest are still relevant 32 years after start of Bulgaria’s democratic transition

"How long shall we wait? Lord, give Bulgaria a new way, light and freedom!”

Photo: archive

This is an excerpt from "Prayer for Bulgaria" - one of the songs composed after November 10, 1989. It sounded in the squares during rallies and protests in the 90s along with many other song of that period and we still call them "the songs of protest." Gradually, they also became "songs of transition", because over the years there were a number of occasions to recall them. Some of the lyrics continue to be relevant today because they focus on topics such as poverty, social inequality, the desire for a better life and freedom in all its forms. "Prayer for Bulgaria" also sounds relevant, especially in moments like today’s situation - an impending economic crisis, uncertainty and election excitement. The music is by Stefan Dimitrov and the lyrics - by Miryana Basheva. The song is performed by Vasil Naydenov and Bogdana Karadocheva.


You can recall some of the most famous "songs of protest" in a article from the archives of Radio Bulgaria, prepared on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of November 10, 1989. - HERE.

The memories of some of the main participants on the stages and in city squares more than three decades ago are collected in the article Music from beginning of democratic transition – piece of freedom generations dreamt of.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgarian folk songs cannot be translated but the world finds them magical

Though she has been living abroad with her family for 20 years, Bulgarian folklore has been with her always. She is the author of dozens of texts which she has turned into song, together with her husband kaval player Dimitar Karamitev from Stara..

published on 6/18/24 8:10 AM

Dani Ilieva- "Will I Kiss"

A young girl known from the last season of "The Voice of Bulgaria" - Dani Ilieva - presents her new song entitled "Shte Tseluna li/Will I kiss". In 2022, when she was only 16, Dani became the youngest performer to win the "Burgas and the Sea" song..

published on 6/17/24 1:54 PM

''Osvoboden''- Summer mood with Innerglow

Innerglow band was among the finalists in the 55th edition of the Bulgarian National Radio's contest for new Bulgarian pop and rock music Spring 2024 with their song "Osvoboden". The idea for the song emerged earlier, and realizing that it sounded..

published on 6/14/24 11:53 AM