{
  "id": 11681357,
  "title": "Greece returns remains of Czar Samuel to Bulgaria",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/greece-returns-remains-of-czar-samuel-to-bulgaria-11681357",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T12:17:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/greece-returns-remains-of-czar-samuel-to-bulgaria/a-79530104?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Saturday, Bulgaria is set to receive the remains of Czar Samuel, one of its most significant medieval rulers. Samuel governed the First Bulgarian Empire from 997 until his death in 1014. During his rule, he expanded his empire's influence across the Balkans, reaching as far as Lake Ohrid, currently located in North Macedonia. However, his reign was marred by conflicts with the Byzantine Empire, culminating in his defeat at the Battle of Kleidion in 1014. According to legend, Samuel succumbed to shock upon witnessing the blinded soldiers of his defeated army, a consequence of orders issued by Byzantine Emperor Basil II, known as Boulgaroktonos, or the \"Bulgar Slayer.\"\n\nCzar Samuel's remains were unearthed in a Greek border region six decades ago and have been the subject of negotiations between the two nations for several years. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev emphasized the symbolic importance of this return, stating that these remains represent their shared memory and bond, and that the public should have the chance to pay their respects to their ancestors.\n\nThe Bulgarian PM's remarks followed a ceremony at the Museum of Byzantine Civilization in Thessaloniki, Greece, where the remains were to be flown to Sofia aboard a military aircraft. The procession was expected to include a fighter jet escort and be followed by a 21-gun salute at the Church of St. Sophia, where the public could pay their respects. Free train transportation to the capital was provided for the occasion, with approximately 750 police officers on duty during the ceremony.\n\nBulgaria initiated discussions on the return of the remains in 2007, and the issue had previously strained relations with Greece. Radev described how Czar Samuel's legacy has now fostered stronger strategic cooperation between the two countries. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledged the immense cultural and emotional value the remains hold for Bulgaria, emphasizing that the global community is re-examining its stance on cultural heritage protection. In return for the remains, Greece will receive 48 sentimental objects looted by Bulgarian forces from Greek churches and monasteries during World War I. While some Greek academics and religious leaders have criticized the exchange as insufficient, Mitsotakis hoped that Saturday's ceremony would strengthen Greece's campaign to reclaim the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum.",
  "summary": "A warrior emperor who ruled the Bulgarian Empire in the Middle Ages, Czar Samuel is a symbol of Bulgarian national identity. But his remains have been in Greece for decades – and he is also claimed by North Macedonia.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Remains of medieval ruler Czar Samuel will arrive in Bulgaria after decades of talks with Greece",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/remains-of-medieval-ruler-czar-samuel-will-arrive-in-bulgaria-after",
        "published": "2026-10-03T08:46:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Greece returns remains of Czar Samuel to Bulgaria",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/greece-returns-remains-of-czar-samuel-to-bulgaria",
        "published": "2026-10-03T12:17:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Bulgaria's Tsar Samuel returns 'home' after 1,000 years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/bulgarias-tsar-samuel-returns-home-after-1-000-years",
        "published": "2026-10-03T12:34:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "A 1,000-year-old homecoming: Bulgaria gets possible remains of Tsar Samuel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/a-1-000-year-old-homecoming-bulgaria-gets-possible-remains-of-tsar",
        "published": "2026-10-03T13:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}