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

Opera prima Sonya Yoncheva: Culture is not only our future - it is the key to a better society

"You are born an artist or you are not."  The truth behind the words of Maria Callas, the opera prima born in New York on 2 December, still resonates today. Exactly 101 years after Callas' birth, a Bulgarian, a true star of world opera, returned home to be..

published on 12/3/24 3:46 PM

Concert of Musica Antica – Sofia with rarely performed works

Baroque music concert with works by rarely performed composers will be presented by Musica Antica – Sofia ensemble and soprano Girgina Girginova in the Bulgarian Cultural Center in Sofia.  Along with European Baroque, the audience..

published on 11/30/24 7:00 AM

Todor Gadjalov - ''Locked Door''

Young singer Todor Gadjalov presents his new original song "Locked Door". It is inspired by the struggle of every person with their own obstacles and challenges. "This is a story about the way up – difficult, but full of hope. The song is about..

published on 11/29/24 2:22 PM