I didn’t understand every word being shouted, but I understood the feeling. In Veliko Tarnovo, voices moved through the narrow streets and old stone walls, carrying an energy that didn’t need translation. I was there as a visitor watching, listening, trying to take it all in.

The protest didn’t feel dramatic at first. People arrived slowly, in small groups. Some carried flags, others just stood quietly. There was no big moment that announced something historic was happening. Instead, it felt like a calm but firm decision shared by many people: to be present.

I knew, in a general way, why people were protesting in Bulgaria , corruption, political instability, years of frustration. But standing there, those ideas became human. I saw different generations together: students, families, older people who looked like they had been through this before.

as someone from outside Bulgaria, I noticed how much I relied on energy rather than words. I followed the rhythm of chants, the tone of voices, the pauses between them. Even when I didn’t understand the language, I understood the emotions — anger, tiredness, but also humor and patience.

What stayed with me most was the restraint. People were serious, but not aggressive. They talked, laughed, waited. The protest felt steady rather than explosive. Veliko Tarnovo made it feel even more personal ,small enough to see faces clearly, old enough to remind you that public gatherings like this are nothing new.

Later, I realized that what I felt there reflected something bigger across Bulgaria: a refusal to become indifferent. The protest wasn’t about one loud moment, but about showing up again and again.

I came expecting to observe a political event. I left with something more personal ,a quiet respect for people who continue to stand, even when change feels slow. Sometimes, understanding doesn’t come from words, but from being there long enough to feel the energy around you.

If words aren’t enough, this video from the protest speaks for itself: https://youtu.be/5FyU-hUR66M?si=XnW0Og7jvpq5Vv18