"The Bridge - Gen X vs Gen Z": BNT and Romanian Public Television with a Joint Broadcast

'The Bridge – Gen X vs Gen Z' is the title of the first collaborative television programme produced in partnership between Bulgarian National Television (BNT) and Romanian public service broadcaster(TVR). The format traces the historical transition through the perspectives of two generations—Gen X and Gen Z—focusing on the memories of those who experienced the events of 1989 and the understanding of young people today regarding the moments that shaped history in both countries. The show offers an in-depth and emotional look at how the past continues to shape the present.

The talk show, which BNT will broadcast on Saturday, 20 December, at 18:30, will be hosted by Simeon Ivanov (The Day Begins, BNT) and Irina Luca from TVR. Special studio guests will include well-known figures from both countries. Representing Gen X are BNT 1’s 'Panorama' host Boyko Vasilev and TVR producer Smaranda Vornicu, while Gen Z is represented by influencers Tsvetana Sapova and Basti Topescu.

The Bridge – Gen X vs Gen Z is a programme about dialogue between past and present, reflected through personal recollections of the historical processes of 1989 that shaped the values and identity of an entire generation. Gen Z participants will interpret these events today, exploring whether and how they continue to influence their lives and worldview.

The show also highlights the role of public media as both witnesses and active participants in history. It showcases how BNT and TVR covered the period before and after 1989, demonstrating the strong connection between the two broadcasters—from the time when BNT’s programmes were widely watched in Romania, to the enduring popularity of the children’s song 'Sunchо' in Romanian cultural memory. ('Sunchо' is a popular Bulgarian children's character and the name for the beloved children's bedtime TV show segment, essentially meaning "Little Sleepyhead")

The studio will feature archival footage from New Year and music programmes, a family living on both sides of the Danube, and a Romanian working in Bulgaria. The programme will recount history while providing entertainment, testing what young people really know about the transition period and even attempting to settle the age-old debate: are 'sarmi' (stuffed cabbage or vine leaves) a Bulgarian or Romanian dish?

This joint production, The Bridge – Gen X vs Gen Z, is an important step in expanding the long-standing partnership between BNT and TVR. It aims to build a bridge between generations while emphasising the cultural and media ties between Bulgaria and Romania.