In 1997 Bulgaria was at breaking point, facing an overall crisis. Tens of thousands of people were protesting daily against the former Communist government. On 10 January the country's parliament in Sofia came under siege.
Bulgaria 
Ringing the Changes
Ringing the Changes
Ringing the Changes
Maria Zabova has not missed a single Sunday Service at Alexander Nevski Cathedral, in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, for nearly 30 years.
She is over 80 and single-handedly sounds the tonne-weight bells to call people to prayer. Maria wasn't always as happy in her faith though. In the Communist years she was persecuted for coming to church and found ingenious ways to stay true to her beliefs.
© Janet Barrie and Velislav Radev
Share this post
Gallery Strandja
Gallery Borderlands
