Thousands welcome the remains of Tsar Samuil in Sofia

Thousands of Bulgarians from all parts of the country, along with visitors to Bulgaria, filled Prince Alexander I Square in front of the Royal Palace in Sofia for the state ceremony marking the arrival from Greece of the remains of one of Bulgaria’s most renowned medieval rulers, Tsar Samuil (997–1014).

• Greece hands over the remains of Tsar Samuil to Bulgaria

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Rumen Radev, President Iliana Iotova, and three former Bulgarian presidents — Georgi Parvanov, Petar Stoyanov and Rosen Plevneliev. Former prime ministers, ministers, deputy ministers, GERB leader Boyko Borissov, We Continue the Change leader Assen Vassilev, Patriarch Daniil, Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev, as well as numerous MPs, politicians and public figures, were also present. The Bulgarian national anthem was performed, followed by a 21-gun artillery salute.

• The sunset and new dawn of Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria

The return of the Bulgarian tsar’s remains was made possible after six decades of negotiations between Bulgaria and Greece. They were transported from Greece to Sofia aboard a Spartan military aircraft, which was escorted through Bulgarian airspace by two pairs of MiG-29 and F-16 fighter jets. The formation flew over Prince Alexander I Square greeted by cheers and applause from the crowd.

• New monument to “matchlessly brave” Tsar Samuil

At Vasil Levski Airport in Sofia, Tsar Samuil’s remains were received by a guard of honor and carried to the square by the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

To the sound of the Guards Brass Band, the coffin containing Tsar Samuil’s remains was placed on a platform at the center of the square.

“Before us are the remains of Tsar Samuil. He was destined the heavy burden of defending his homeland on the Balkan Peninsula, bordering the mighty Byzantine Empire, enduring attacks from behind by those close to him while also guarding our eastern and southern borders…

The old capital, Preslav, fell, and Samuil and his brothers inherited a weakened Bulgaria. Samuil was destined to wage wars in defense of Bulgarian identity, enduring the pain of his wounds alongside his soldiers. Centuries later, it was precisely his arm, which had healed improperly, that helped archaeologists establish his identity on the island of St. Achillius.

He spent his days on horseback in order to preserve the unity of the Bulgarian state. The final chapter in the life of our great ruler is worthy of a biblical tragedy. In 1014, Samuil was wounded and died upon seeing his blinded soldiers. What greater nobility could there be in the heart of a ruler, torn apart by the sight of his soldiers’ suffering?”, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said during his speech, as quoted by BGNES.

From Prince Alexander I Square, the remains will proceed in a procession to the Church of St. Sofia.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov