site.btaScientific Conference on Tsar Samuel's Reign Brings Participants from Several Countries to Petrich

An international scientific conference about the history and culture of Tsar Samuel's Bulgaria brought scientists from several countries to the History Museum in Petrich on Sunday. The forum was part of a series of events marking 1,010 years since the reign of Tsar Samuel, held under the auspices of President Rumen Radev.

The conference was organized by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Petric Municipality, and the Macedonian Scientific Institute. Among the participants were scientists from Bulgaria, Greece, Poland, and Russia. Also present were public figures and representatives of local authorities.

At the start of the conference, an address by  the head of State was read out.

Petrich Mayor Dimitar Bruchkov said in his speech that when a ruler gives rise to debates and interest more than a thousand years after his reign, conclusions should be drawn that are scientifically backed. In his words, that was the purpose of Sunday's forum. "Because the conclusions should lead to a projection in our time of our modernity of all of us as governors, of all those who will participate in the public, economic and social life of Bulgaria," he said.  "These conclusions should give us enough self-confidence so that we defend our national interests, but also make us more confident in our resolve for the future," the Mayor added.

Corresponding Member Stefan Hadzhitodorov welcomed the audience on behalf of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He pointed out that the scientific conference would mark some great days in Bulgaria's history, albeit associated with tragic events. 

The Director of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum to the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Assoc. Prof Hristo Popov, said that when the national, academic, scientific, resposinble state institutions make joint efforts, that means they can. "Tsar Samuel's figure is one that unites us and despite the dramatism it is charged with, we should note the pride, the refusal, and the difficult circumstances which life makes you face," Popov said. "Tsar Samuel united us, and today's generations, who have accepted the act he has carried across the centuries, should in their turn do what is necessary for us to continue forward and for Bulgaria to exist," Popov also said.

All papers presented at the conference will be published afterwards.