Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

History Commission: King Samuel was the ruler of the Bulgarian kingdom centered in the present-day Republic of North Macedonia

King Samuel was the ruler of a large medieval state, which most of modern historians consider to be the Bulgarian kingdom with its center in what is today the Republic of North Macedonia, the Joint Commission on Historical and Educational Affairs, composed of Bulgarian and Macedonian historians, has concluded. The Commission’s official recommendation to the governments in Sofia and Skopje is for joint commemoration of personalities and events from the two countries common history, public broadcaster BNT reported.


The Bulgarian kingdom spanned a significant part of the lands and population of the Balkan Peninsula, the document said. Whose ruler - Bulgarian or Macedonian - was King Samuel is one of the most controversial historical disputes between the two states.


The History Commission concluded that the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius "carried out their mission in the literary centres of Preslav and Ohrid, which were then located on the territory of the medieval Bulgarian state, where their disciples found conditions for work". Historians point out that this fact gives grounds for the two countries to jointly celebrate the day of Cyril and Methodius (May 24 - ed.).




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

When horsemen and mystical rituals come to life in gold and silver – the Letnitsa Treasure

In the world of the Thracians, who had no written language, the most important messages were conveyed through art. The Letnitsa Treasure is precisely such a message — about power, beliefs, and the path to wisdom . This unique discovery, dated between..

published on 11/22/25 7:00 AM

On November 21 we mark the Day of the Orthodox Christian Family

On November 21, the day of the Presentation of Virgin Mary (or the Entry of the most Holy Theotokos into the Temple), the Orthodox Bulgarians also celebrate the Day of the Christian Family and the Learning Youth.  The holiday was established by the..

published on 11/21/25 7:20 PM
Ventseslav Sabev

Ventseslav Sabev from Geneva: When we believe in God, we carry a message of peace

During a visit by the Radio Bulgaria team to the Bulgarian Orthodox Parish "Nativity of the Mother of God" in Geneva, we had the pleasure of meeting Ventseslav Sabev, the son of long-time church history professor at the Sofia Theological Seminary,..

published on 11/15/25 6:35 AM