Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 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

Stenli's new release - If I Have To

Slightly unconventional but quite popular pop and rock musician Stenli starts the year with a new single. The track Ako Tryabva (If I Have To) will be part of his upcoming album.  The music for If I Have To was written by Stenli. He also did the..

published on 2/8/25 9:00 AM

Drummer Ivan Dimov throws his home near Zurich open to performers from Bulgaria

“The life of a musician is a really good thing as long as you manage to live it the way you want, with the music you want, and not the music the market dictates,” says drummer Ivan Dimov. His career is connected with two emblematic Bulgarian 1990s –..

updated on 2/7/25 1:37 PM

Mary Boys Band celebrate 30 years on stage with a concert party

They have more than 3,000 appearances. Their songs – Unknown Streets, Long Way Home and Sunflowers have been included in several music school books in Bulgaria. They have dozens of hits, awards and nominations, but they readily admit that what they..

published on 2/6/25 7:00 AM