Tsar Samuel’s Remains Return to Bulgaria

The remains identified as those of Tsar Samuel, ruler of the First Bulgarian Empire who died in 1014, were transferred from Greece to Sofia after decades of negotiations and a new agreement. Thousands attended the public ceremony, along with the prime ministers of both countries. Greece will receive 48 religious artifacts taken by Bulgarian troops from churches and monasteries in northern Greece during World War I. The countries said they would continue discussions about other cultural objects, and Bulgarian leaders described the handover as a step toward reconciliation and recognition of shared European heritage. Samuel’s legacy remains contested, particularly in North Macedonia, which also claims him as a historical ruler.