Remains of Medieval Ruler Czar Samuel to Return to Bulgaria After Decades of Talks
The transfer follows an agreement for Bulgaria to return religious relics to Greece, with leaders hoping the cultural exchange strengthens bilateral ties and supports Greece's bid for the Parthenon Marbles.
The remains of medieval Bulgarian ruler Czar Samuel are set to be transferred to Bulgaria on Saturday, concluding decades of negotiations with neighboring Greece. The historic handover is part of a cultural exchange that leaders hope will deepen relations between the two Balkan nations.
Samuel, a warrior king who fought the Byzantine Empire in the early 11th century, is a significant figure in Bulgarian national identity. Though he ultimately fell in battle in 1014, his legacy remains a potent symbol for the country. The remains, discovered in a Greek border region approximately 60 years ago, have been housed at the Museum of Byzantine Civilization in Thessaloniki.
Upon arrival in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, the remains will be met with full state honors. A military aircraft will transport them, accompanied by a fighter jet escort, followed by a 21-gun salute. A procession will lead to the Church of St. Sophia, where the public will have the opportunity to pay their respects.
This transfer was facilitated by an agreement reached earlier this week between the culture ministers of Bulgaria and Greece. Under this accord, Bulgaria committed to returning various religious relics that were taken from Greek monasteries during World War I.
Despite the agreement, some Greek academics and religious figures have voiced criticism, deeming the Bulgarian side's reciprocal gestures inadequate. However, at a ceremony in Thessaloniki, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev emphasized the unifying power of shared history.
“These are items that belong to both our peoples; they constitute our memory and our bond, and our compatriots and future generations deserve and must have the opportunity to pay tribute to their ancestors,” Radev stated at the ceremony. He added, “If in the past Czar Samuel divided us, I can say that today he unites us. He strengthens our strategic cooperation and makes the historical relations between our states and peoples even stronger.”
Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed hope that the ceremony would lend momentum to Greece’s ongoing campaign to repatriate the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum. He articulated, “The global community is essentially re-evaluating its long-standing stance on protecting cultural heritage. This shift is embodied by today’s initiative, which rests on the obvious principle that monuments and historical heirlooms cannot be treated as spoils of war, nor as the result of circumstances subsequent to their creation.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.