We’ve all heard of song lyrics that depict or encourage violence, or inspire a generation to do something spontaneous and reckless. But we’re not really accustomed to our national, and particularly global, music scene being as violent and anti-establishment as the regulations surrounding firearms it seeks to decry. And yet, off of the beaten path of what the rest of Europe considers trendsetting, Bulgaria’s gun laws aren’t anything to be taken lightly. And the Bulgarian music scene knows this.
To understand our point, you have to look at the differences between Bulgaria and other countries when it comes to gun possession laws. In Bulgaria, restrictions are a bit of a nightmare for anyone planning on keeping a firearm. The gun laws in Bulgaria require owners, registration for all private guns, as well as permits for hunting shotguns and hunting rifles – and that’s just the beginning. You also need to get a moral and psychological evaluation test done by a commission, get your yearly hunting permit, and obtain a gun license from everyone from the police, the military, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Interior. Those are just the most prominent institutions. Even more frustrating? Your Bulgarian gun license will actually expire.
Needless to say, gun possession and public attitudes toward the practice aren’t always considered cool. You may even find that the rebellious attitude of a lot of successful Bulgarian music groups reflects this perfectly. In a culture that is known for its rebellious music scene, it’s really no surprise that these artists have cemented themselves as some of the greatest musical and lyrical inspirations of the country. Many have sought lyrical solutions to their country’s social issues, social criticisms often embedded in the lyrics of their songs. That doesn’t mean that their lyrics are perfect, but it does mean that they’ve got a good grasp on their country’s social issues and how they personally feel about them – and one would have to say that that is a cultural right in and of itself. Artists frequently write songs that criticize police brutality, mistreatment of government employees, human rights violations, and even the ban of oil drilling in national parks. They even express their need for free speech through music. So where has that gotten them in the political realm? Absolutely nowhere.
Bulgaria has been rated at the bottom of the EU when it comes to respect for personal rights. The population may not actually be that rebellious as a result, but they’re definitely fed up with the direction their country is going. Why else would the youth be so absorbed in coming up with possible solutions, disobeying gun control laws, and raising their voices through music? Bulgarian political parties no longer represent the views of the people. They haven’t since the early 90s, which is why the youth are rebelling the way they are through their music. Art has always been the best way to get a point across to those in power – and this seems to be the only resort that the rebels, or artists, are turning to.
So how does this all play out in Bulgarian music? It offers a glimpse of what this rebellious attitude looks like. The list of Bulgarian musicians in the “rebellious” category is extensive, but keep an eye on artists such as Big Sha, Ahat, Last Hope, Sled Druga, Don Juan, Splendid, and Te to get more of an idea of what we’re talking about. While music has long been an effective way to promote change in many corners of the world, artists in Bulgaria have attempted to do just that for years. This is why they take advantage of every opportunity to get their message out and make a point. Whether folks think that what they’re doing is an optimal strategy or not, it’s certainly a reason for critics to sit up and take notice – and to visit the country for themselves!
