'We are Shepherds, But Not Sheep' : Farmer Protest and Rural Identity in Bulgaria

Rural society in Bulgaria has seen considerable upheaval over the past century, moving from a position of political significance, rural actors were subsequently subordinated under the communist regime (1946-1989). The post-socialist period saw further turmoil as land restitution, privatisation, and depopulation reshaped rural communities, leading to increased marginalisation. Facing uncertain futures, rural producers have engaged in a range of actions to challenge and resist threats to their material interests and rural way of life. This article draws on a unique dataset of protest events by rural producers over the 2000-2019 period to understand how and why they protest. In doing so, it considers how the claims presented can be seen to reflect efforts to protect rural communities in a time of change. The findings suggest that material interests serve as the key mobilising force but that these rest on a sense of collective identity around the importance of rural society to support their claims.