Comment by Margarita Nikolova:
"GenZ is coming": This was one of the largest and most memorable banners at the crowded protest in Sofia last week. In the short but clear message, many in our country, and around the world, saw the request of a young generation to take both the future and the present of their own country into their own hands.
As a representative of GenZ, this not only makes me happy and hopeful. I find it absolutely impressive considering the fact that our own politicians, and I'm lumping them together here, did everything in their power to disgust every last citizen, achieving perhaps some of the highest levels of apathy and total refusal of civic participation.
"You've angered the wrong generation!" is another popular slogan among young people. Amidst all the euphoria surrounding how different this new wave of protests is precisely because of the youthful charge and anger, two very important questions face us all.
Who will lead the young?
Without wanting to sound condescending or even dismissive, which would kill the vibe of any young person, there's no way we can ignore two absolute facts.
The first is that many were protesting for the first time on December 1st. By the way, I consider them very lucky considering the incredible atmosphere, mainly on the streets of Sofia, but not only. Being part of something much bigger than yourself is perhaps one of the best possible experiences. The other absolute fact is that a large part of the young protesters lack basic knowledge about the political scene beyond: "Shishi" and "Tikvata" are bad and should not exist.
This, of course, is quite normal. Before the anti-government protests of the summer of 2020, I myself, a freshman in Germany, had heard that many defined Peevski as a malignant tumor that must be removed. Concepts like "judicial reform" were certainly not present in my vocabulary. It is precisely the protests that create a prerequisite for the politicization of all segments of society. And we, the young, are in that very favorable transformative period of life in which we adjust our moral compass.
And this is where the great opportunity comes, but with it also a risk - who will the young people recognize? I am far from thinking that only one political formation embodies their energy and therefore the only one with the legitimate right to win them over as sympathizers or at least voters. At the very least, GenZ is not a homogeneous group and it is dangerous to perceive it as such. However, this generation was born in a country with wide open borders, for which Europe is not a distant dream, but a reality and a home. However, it was also born in a country with high levels of corruption and systemic injustice, which explains its clear intolerance towards them. For this reason, the most logical choice for the young is precisely the PP-DB, and it depends solely on them whether they will attract them in the long term, speaking their language on their channels. At the moment, they seem to be doing well.
However, there is also a real danger that the young will be misled and used by political players for whom the only important thing at the moment is survival. There are many of them. And no, the young are not stupid. They are simply idealists who strongly believe that Bulgaria can be a better place in which to develop professionally, start families, and be truly happy. This makes them vulnerable precisely to politicians whose sole purpose is to embrace them, slowly suffocating them and their dreams. We saw it very well with ITN in 2020.
Protest energy must be cultivated
This is where our responsibility and duty as a society come in. We have a real chance not just to politicize, but to permanently democratize an entire generation on which the future of Bulgaria depends, even though many people don't like it. "When it's time, when it's time, when it's time Peevski falls" and all the other iconic songs that I've been singing at the top of my lungs for several weeks in a row are more than great. The memes with Yordan Tsonev and Elisaveta Belobradova are also great. However, the protest energy of the young must be transformed into civic participation beyond voting in elections, which in itself is a good start. A significant number of them have just come of age and are fully prepared to exercise their right to vote.
And in order for this entire delicate process of democratization to happen, I believe it is necessary for all generations to be involved. That is why I am addressing them with a few modest appeals.
Empower us!
Dear baby boomers, representatives of generation X, millennials, don't hate us because we are young and green. I am already seeing angry comments on social networks that are not just unnecessary, but harmful to the common cause. Let's not forget that it is exactly that. Take advantage of the fact that we can absorb like sponges and, contrary to expectations, we are not lazy at all.
It only matters how you talk to us. Don't wave your moral finger in our faces. Believe in us and show it to us - empower us. I understand that it annoys you when we act like we know more than you. However, for some things it really is, for many others not at all. Now you're probably saying to yourself "But what am I going to do with someone who can't even tie their own shoelaces?!" First, we can. Second, we can do much more than that. And third - at the very least, if you want to have a pension one day, it's a good idea to invest in this generation right now. I'm not commenting on democracy at all - let's fix the basic needs according to Maslow first.
Dear GenZ, be a little more humble. "We are doing what you haven't done in 30 years!" Slow down with such statements - they are neither true nor useful for the common cause. We agree that it is exactly that, right? The generations before us have genetically passed on to us the longing and urge for freedom, and then consciously raised them in our country. Let us not forget how much effort this cost them and what price they paid, considering the fact that they themselves were born and raised in some dark times. My father taught me that freedom is a state of mind and no matter how much they break your spirit, the mind remains awake and daydreaming. For my father, freedom remained a dream, but for me it is a reality, but also a conscious responsibility, for which I will always be infinitely grateful to him. Dear GenZ, be grateful too. The generations before us have not only done their job - they have done it wonderfully.
GenZ is not coming, GenZ is here
Finally, I will allow myself to propose a semantic correction - GenZ is not coming, GenZ is here. It is high time to recognize that this young generation not only can, but has the right to boldly and openly declare its own vision for Bulgaria. It simply needs to be given a chance. This is exactly what Gianlorenzo Blenghini, the coach of our men's national volleyball team, did. His GenZs became world vice-champions just a few months ago, which quite naturally turned them into joy and pride for the entire nation.
In addition to a direction that varies between political, sports, technological and many others, I strongly believe that the young generation of Bulgaria also has the capacity to build a new and healthy national self-esteem that does not rest on old laurels, but relies entirely on intellect, skills, fighting spirit and common values. It just needs someone to believe in it and give it a chance - GenZ is here and ready to take both the future and the present of Bulgaria into their own hands.