It sounds as if the 90's were a tough time to grow up in Bulgaria, but interesting, too. The change to democracy would make for a good book, I bet. Glad they didn't get your shoes!
Some of my Spanish friends grew up under Franco and had interesting stories to tell about the changes after his death.
Ugh. Kids and smartphones... The next generation will have no social skills, unless you count social media.
Oh yes, interesting for sure! Despite everything, I had a happy childhood :)
What happened in Spain after the death of Franco? I'd like to learn more about it.
Franco was a very repressive dictator, so there weren't many freedoms. He used the church as a form of control, as well. All the schools were run by nuns or monks. According to some of my Spanish friends, there was almost a cultural over-correction when Franco died.
Catalunya is a particularly interesting example. The post-Franco effect is still evident in their relationship to the rest of Spain. Under Franco, Catalans weren't even allowed to speak their native language in public. Afterward, Catalan returned in force. It's no wonder there's a strong separatist movement there.
About Catalans, I've heard people saying that they are an entirely different ethnic group that has little to do with the Spanish. It that one of the reasons they want independence from Spain?
I'll read more about Franco once I have time :)
Spain, as a united country, is a recent thing. The people of Aaragonians, Bosques, Castillians, and Catalans were small kingdoms, once. Even Portugal has been united and divided through various marriages and squabbles over the centuries.
I'm, by no means, an expert, but the people of Catalunya have their own culture and language. There are also several towns in northern Italy that speak Catalan, though I don't know what the connection is. Under Franco, the Catalan people were not allowed to speak their language outside the home, and newborn children couldn't have Catalan names. They did participate and sign the constitution after Franco's death, though.
I know two Catalans. One is against separation, although she would like to see less control from the central government. She also said separatists are the minority by far, but they had control of the local government. The recent "illegal vote" put a lot of non-separatists in a no-win situation. If they voted, it would be against the law, and they could get into trouble. If they stayed home, their vote wouldn't be counted.
It's a very complicated social and political situation.