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

A concert of Japanese taiko drums group will delight music lovers in Sofia

Lovers of Japanese music will be able to enjoy a concert of traditional Japanese taiko drums performed by the band Wadaiko-Sai from Japan . The concert will be held in the capital's Bulgaria Hall at 7 p.m. as part of the Days of Japanese Culture in..

published on 11/5/24 5:05 AM

Surprise for Bulgarian audiences - Austrian violinist Rainer Honeck and Bulgarian pianist Plamena Mangova give first concert together

Little-known works will be performed by outstanding musicians at the Bulgaria Hall in Sofia on 6 November.  Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10, an early work by Benjamin Britten dedicated to his composition teacher Frank Bridge, will be..

published on 11/4/24 2:32 PM

"Boris Christoff – Ambassador of the Bulgarian Song" concert in Studio 1 of the BNR

"Boris Christoff – Ambassador of the Bulgarian Song" is the title of the concert of the opera singer Plamen Beykov and pianist Bozhena Petrova, which will take place tonight in Studio 1 of the BNR. "The program is an..

published on 11/4/24 8:15 AM