Running Free was such a blast!
I went mainly because it was organised by a group of friends from Bulgaria. Basically 10 people making a fest in the middle of the forest in the Bulgarian Balkans. Everything hand-made, including the drinks. And it was perfect! Better than the "professional" fests in Romania.
Among the things worth mentioning is that we didnt have transport from accomodation to the fest, and worst case I would have to drive (and not drink). But we didn't have to coz we've got a lift from 2 Armenians - daughter and father acting as the bodyguard. Really cool people, well culturalized❤️. I'll see them again in January when I go to the Caucasus.
Another thing is that my friend Hunter was thrown from a moshpit straight into a middle aged man.. and it turns out he was a Romanian ethnic from Vidin. He was super glad to see Romanians at the fest but he was also super nationalistic. Told us about his problema with being put into jail during the communist times because he was speaking Romanian, told us about the Romanian community leaving for the western countries and the disappearence of our ethnicity from Bulgaria. Trully emotional, but at the same time nothing I can do about it (nor should Romanian have done, coz we dont start wars over 20k people).
Finally, the ending was brilliant: last band, last song from Asphyx. After the song somebody from the crowd threw a Flag to the singer. He opened it and shouted excited "Romania!". Then he realised the flag was not of Bulgaria (was of Romania) and he js not in Romania. Lol! Quickly folded it in shame afterwards but that was sooooo funny =))). Turns out some Romanian kids in the front threw it to him. Prank!!!😂😂
29th - 30th August 2025