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Chapter 6

In the midst of the Third Petiletka; Short Intermission; All middlemen exterminated (to be continued)

During The Third Petiletka, there was no choice for consumers who were shopping for nannies, or simply needed new dentures. Nevertheless, the hoi polloi had a hilarious time united in their efforts to rebuild our country after the devastation of the war. The enthusiasm of the masses (previously exploited) came close to a religious experience due to the redemptive power of comradeship, selfless communist labor, plentiful sex, and the sacred belief in our bright future.

Technically the Third Petiletka started in June 1958 with The Seventh Congress of The Bulgarian Communist Partyunveiling the next (third one in a row) five-year economic development plan. According to the annals socialism had won. All means of production were now officially in the hands of the workers. The ex-exploiters (industrialists, investors, brave bankers, good business people) were transformed into Comrades and put to work producing useful material things. All middlemen were exterminated.

It had taken fourteen years and for Bulgaria to undergo the radical transformation from an underdeveloped poor agrarian country to an established socialist heaven with steady industrial output. For the thirty years that followed, I think it is fair to say, life was mostly good for the majority of the population. Life was easy. We didn't know we were confused.

Let me give you an example, from my youth. It happened during The Seventh Petiletka at a seaside resort where a Komsomol group from my work place took part in a conference on "Advanced Robotics" chaired by the luminary Pishmanov. We gave presentations during the day. At night, we had fun.