Bulgarian archaeologists trace Alcek’s legacy in Italy

Research into the Bulgars of Alcek, who settled in the Molise region of Italy permanently in the 7th century, has attracted growing academic interest in recent years. Thanks to historian Rositsa Lazarova's long-standing professional contacts with the National Archaeological Museum in Campobasso and Italian scholars, the topic has developed into a large-scale initiative that promotes shared cultural and historical heritage, as well as international academic exchange.

• Museum in Italian city of Campobasso keeps unique historical finds related to Bulgaria

With the support of the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Rome, headed at the time by Zhanna Yakovleva, Ms Lazarova produced and directed the 2020 documentary Alcek and the Bulgars in Medieval Italy. This project is dedicated to the memory of Italian archaeologist Dr Valeria Ceglia and local historian and medical doctor Dr Vincenzo D’Amico, who devoted much of their lives to uncovering the Bulgarian roots in the Molise region. The project's success is based on the collaboration of prominent contemporary Bulgarian and Italian scholars, including archaeologist Dr Isabella Marchetta, Prof Alexander Nikolov, and Prof Bruno Genito.

• In the footsteps of the Bulgarians in Medieval Italy

This collaboration culminated in a visit to Italy by prominent Bulgarian archaeologists, Associate Professors Todor Chobanov and Andrey Aladzhov, at the invitation of the National Archaeological Museum of Molise. They were welcomed by Dr E. Rinaldi, Director of the Regional Directorate of National Museums in Molise; Dr D. Delfino, Director of the National Archaeological Museum of Molise in Campobasso; and D. Tsvetkova, Deputy Chair of the Bulgarian-Italian Cultural Association White Roses.

“The results of the visit will form the basis for new interdisciplinary research, as well as future joint scientific projects. After numerous meetings and discussions with their Italian counterparts, the visit concluded in the main hall of the Altilia archaeological complex in Sepino. Those present included the 87-year-old grandson of Dr Vincenzo D’Amico, Dr N. Lombardi; the husband of archaeologist Dr Valeria Ceglia, A. Saracino; and others,” historian and documentary filmmaker Rositsa Lazarova told Radio Bulgaria.

Editor: Ivo Ivanov

Senior editor: E. Karkalanova