In this section, through personal memories and secondhand accounts, students shared how they relate to the past. Opening and closing this section, Simon and Pavel emphasized the role of a larger Bulgarian history, which includes a medieval empire, centuries of Ottoman rule, and Soviet-influenced communism. The other clips focus more specifically on relationships with family members of previous generations, as well as experiences of economic transition.
"Because We Loved Our Country"
Simon talked about his pride in Bulgarian history, describing his perspective on past centuries of its medieval empire.
"There Were Gardens"
Elena and Dimitar discussed what they saw happening to village life through changes in technology and economic systems. They laid out the stark contrast between contemporary participation in international markets and the organization of village life around the garden in the past.
"My Grandfather"
Ivana shared stories about her grandfather, who lost his arm at a young age and saved her from a microwave fire.
"These Were the Best Records Ever"
Viktoria discussed the significance of music in her and her father’s life through an anecdote about her father’s juvenile escapades.
"How did One Thousand Become One?"
Pavel remembered the extreme inflation and revaluation of the lev during the economic transition that took place in Bulgaria when he was a child. (Note: Pavel used the terms dollar and lev, but is only referring to Bulgarian currency.)
"To Travel"
Nikolai talked about traveling restrictions his mother experienced in the past, then described a trip to Berlin they took together in 2009.
"He Made Them Shorts"
Ilina told the story of her father’s precious jeans in a time when jeans were rare.
"Let’s Think of Something Else"
Pavel and Simon shared how they felt Bulgaria has been set back by five centuries of Ottoman rule as well as the period of Soviet influence in the 20th Century. Through these ‘setbacks,’ though, they described Bulgarians as “the ultimate survivalists,” and urged the persistence of this thread of Bulgarian culture.