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

Tsars Peter and Asen restored the Bulgarian state 840 years ago

In 1018, after half a century of struggle, the First Bulgarian Empire was conquered by Byzantium. Despite the many uprisings of the Bulgarians, the power of Constantinople lasted for nearly two centuries. In the autumn of 1185 or the..

published on 10/26/25 5:05 AM

St John of Rila – the Miracle-Worker of the Rila Wilderness

On 19 October, Bulgarians commemorate St Ivan Rilski, also known as St John of Rila, who is considered the country’s heavenly protector. He founded the Rila Monastery, which is the largest and most influential spiritual centre in Bulgaria. Ivan..

published on 10/19/25 7:30 AM

Father Genadiy from Artsyz: Bulgaria is the root of my heart and my blood

Father Genadiy Martinov is a Bessarabian Bulgarian, born in the village of Devetliy, Odessa province (Ukraine). Two centuries ago, his family lived in Eastern Thrace, near Edirne, but after the end of the Russo-Turkish War (1828–1829), during a period..

published on 10/18/25 7:15 AM