More than 1,000 years after his death, the remains believed to be those of medieval Bulgarian ruler Czar Samuel have arrived in Bulgaria. The emperor, a significant symbol of Bulgarian national identity, was a warrior who battled the Byzantine Empire, ultimately suffering defeat and dying shortly thereafter in 1014. His supposed remains were discovered in a Greek border region in the 1960s.

The coffin and remains were flown to the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, on Saturday aboard a military aircraft, escorted by air force fighter jets. Thousands gathered in a public square to honor the czar's homecoming, an event that followed years of difficult negotiations between Bulgaria and Greece until an agreement was reached this week.

Across the political spectrum, Bulgarian leaders paid tribute to the medieval ruler. The national anthem was played, and a 21-gun salute was fired. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev remarked on the occasion, stating, “Today, we Europeans are learning to read history with a desire to belong not only to our homeland, but also to the culture that unites us across the entire European continent.” He added that "Europe must not reopen old wounds but must work for peace as the supreme good," referencing the historical rivalry between Bulgaria and Greece.

Crowds cheered as fighter jets performed a flypast. One attendee, Martin Nestorov, a 42-year-old software engineer, told AFP news agency he was present "to welcome Czar Samuel back to Bulgaria, where he belongs." Tsanka Zlatkova, 65, a retired art historian, added, “I am here because I am Bulgarian, and a Bulgarian is returning to his homeland.”

A procession then transported the remains to the Church of Saint Sofia, a sixth-century basilica that shares its name with the capital city. Church officials have stated that Samuel was baptized in this church.

The handover of Samuel’s remains is part of a broader cultural accord between the Greek and Bulgarian culture ministers. In a reciprocal exchange, Greece is set to receive 48 artifacts that were taken by Bulgarian troops from churches and monasteries in Greece during World War I.

Prior to the handover, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed hope that this ceremony would bolster Greece's ongoing efforts to repatriate the Parthenon Marbles. These ancient sculptures were removed from Athens' Acropolis and are currently housed in the British Museum.

The repatriation of Czar Samuel's remains represents a significant moment for Bulgarian national sentiment, while also highlighting the complex historical relationships and ongoing cultural exchanges between neighboring Balkan nations.