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

The memory of the Bulgarian soldiers who died for their homeland was honored in North Macedonia

The Day of Bravery and the Bulgarian Army (May 6) was marked at the Bulgarian Military Memorial in Novo Selo, BGNES reported. The memorial, where the mortal remains of 71 Bulgarian soldiers are laid to rest, is located near the town of..

published on 5/6/25 2:29 PM

Young musicians from 11 countries to take part in the first Sofia Cantus Firmus International Violin Competition

Young musicians from 11 countries will take part in the first Sofia Cantus Firmus International Violin Competition, organized with financial support from the National Culture Fund, the Ministry of Culture, and in partnership with New Bulgarian..

published on 5/5/25 4:02 PM

Orlin Pavlov presents his new song ''Syanka''

We’ve all heard of ideas that come to artists in their dreams. That’s exactly how the melody for Orlin Pavlov’s new single “Syanka/Shadow” was born — he dreamt it. Afterwards, he turned to brothers Milen Kukosharov and Rosen Kukosharov to bring the..

published on 5/5/25 1:06 PM