The relics, memory and "reciprocity" of the Greek-Bulgarian agreement: Open questions for Eastern Macedonia and Thracetranslated

The announcement of the return of 48 ecclesiastical relics from Bulgaria to Greece is an important event. However, it is also an occasion to examine the way in which we deal with cultural heritage, historical memory and pending issues of the past in the relations of the two countries. In the interdisciplinary program Cultural Memory History Actions, based in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace and focusing on the spatial and material dimension of memory, as well as the study of memory politics, we consider it important to publicly pose certain questions that directly concern the region and the management of the difficult aspects of the past.

On September 29, 2026, the Greek Ministry of Culture announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the "reciprocal 'deposit' of relics of historical value". According to the announcement, Bulgaria is handing over 48 relics, coming from the Holy Monastery of Panagia Eikosifinissa, the Holy Monastery of the Holy Forerunner of Serres and the Holy Metropolis of Serres and Nigritis, which, according to the announcement, had been transferred to Sofia in 1917. For its part, Greece will hand over the bones attributed to Tsar Samuel, as…