Bulgaria awaits the historic return of medieval Tsar Samuel’s remains

More than a thousand years after his death, Tsar Samuil (Samuel) (997-1014) is returning home, to Bulgaria, to whose freedom and independence he devoted his life. The remains of one of Bulgaria’s most renowned medieval rulers will be handed over to the Bulgarian state today at an official ceremony at the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki, in the presence of Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the government press service reports.

Later, Bulgaria will welcome the remains of its tsar with a state ceremony at Prince Alexander I Square in Sofia.

After entering Bulgarian airspace, the Spartan military transport aircraft carrying Tsar Samuil’s remains will be intercepted and escorted by two pairs of MiG-29 and F-16 fighter jets. The formation will fly over Prince Alexander I Square at around 12:30 p.m. The fighter jets will make a second flyover after the Spartan transport aircraft has landed.

Tsar Samuil’s remains will then be carried by the Bulgarian Armed Forces from Vasil Levski Airport in Sofia to Prince Alexander I Square.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova