In contemporary Bulgaria there exist a large number of people, both young and old, who seem to have no knowledge or recollection of the not so distant historical and political past of their country. Some simply prefer not to think about it due to the relative ease of remaining apathetic. It is precisely these people that are so easily manipulated today.
Leftists and those who generally oppose the EU’s development of and involvement in Bulgaria provide a constant barrage of anti-European sentiment through publications in online media, forums, blogs, and information sites in an attempt to propagate, confuse and distort an already confused and distorted public opinion.
Many problems seem to arise from the fact Bulgarians tend to blame others for their own misfortunes. A large proportion of society believes external forces are “hostile” towards the country. Some go so far as to believe in a “universal conspiracy” against an otherwise “industrious and clever” people. This documentary portrays the beginning of the transitional period in Bulgaria from communism to democracy and introduces the people who started transition.
Let us go back to the eighties, a period which is favored by contemporary propagandists and people eager to reminisce about the ‘glorious’ days of socialism.
At the end of 80-s the economy of socialist Bulgaria was completely bankrupt. It was clear to everyone, even to the communist leaders at that time, that the economy could not go forward with the same resources and management methods. So the ruling Communist Party began to make radical changes to the model. At the same time social tensions in society began to grow - something that, until then, had been considered impossible in the years of mature socialism.