Today marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of Communism in Bulgaria – November 10th, 1989. For those who don’t know yet, I was born and raised in Bulgaria before coming to America with my family in 1997. I was 10 years old when the Berlin Wall came down, an event that snowballed the fall of Communism throughout other Eastern European countries including my native Bulgaria. Although young I fully understood the magnitude of the event. Witnessing the fight of the Bulgarian people to establish democratic nation has deeply influenced my views on politics today. My deepest gratitude to those who paid with their lives so that we can enjoy our freedom today.
In honor of that anniversary, I have created a video accounting my personal experience of the event, as well as some interesting stories from my life in a Communist country.
Copyright Β© 2009 Zoe V. β All Rights Reserved
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Thank you so much for posting this. I was very young when the wall fell so I don’t remember anything about the Iron Curtain or the fear of communism. I’m glad that you and others are taking the time to document your feelings and thoughts on the matter so they aren’t lost to time. Thank you for expanding my horizons.
Hi Zoe,
This is highly exaggerated view of how bad communism era in Bulgaria was. I am your age and lived in Bulgaria till 2004.
We did have a phone at home ever since I can remember. And so did all my friends. And we were not any communist leaders or in anyway privileged people.
Only Second TV program was starting at 5pm, First was running in the morning as well and having a lunch break from 12.30 till 5pm on weekdays and was all day long on the weekends. They were both ending very early – Second before midnight and First around and sometimes after (Fri, Sat).
We did have a car. Yes our first family car came in 1985 and it was a Trabant. My grandparents of my mother’s side did have a car and of my father’s side – did not. People had to wait long waiting lists for years until they can buy a car, but having a car was not that rare at all. It was rare for young families to have one because of the long waiting time.
There is much more that I disagree with in your video but there is no point of noting everything. After all your entry is about your personal experience. But when it comes to facts there is a great deal of inaccuracy in your presentation.
I should point that I am not a communist fan and I think that all the changes that Bulgaria still undergoes after 1989 are for good and had to happen (despite the many difficulties).
I am not that negative and critical. I like your blog and what you do and I admire you. I am a health nut, as well. I’ve a vegan for more than 5 years and a vegetarian for more than 10. I am not raw though (although around 75% of my food is raw).
Keep up the good work.
Cheers,
Delyan