In 2014 Bulgaria commemorates the 1000 anniversary of the battle in the Pass of Kleidion (July 29th, 1014) and the subsequent death, on October 6th 1014, of Tsar Samuel (997-1014). Among other scheduled events that should honor Tsar Samuel, is a poster exhibition entitled „Invincible in Power and Unsurpassable in Bravery“ The Bulgarian Tsar Samuel († 1014).

The exhibition is the outcome of the earnest endeavors of both the Centre for Slavo-Byzantine Studies “Prof. Ivan Dujčev” at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. It has been funded by the State subsidies assigned for commemorating initiatives.

The exhibition images and concise texts in Bulgarian and in English bring into light, the dense and compelling time of the reign of Tsar Samuel, his family story as well as the historical memory of the Bulgarian people of it. The posters display the power and the wisdom of Tsar Samuel’s rule, the majesty and the weaknesses of the leaders, their victories, mistakes and challenges. The posters reveal the dignity of the Bulgarians fighting to preserve their political autonomy from the powerful Byzantine Empire during its Middle Age apogee. Medieval miniatures, chronicles, stone inscriptions, archaeological data, maps and reconstructions are gathered along with contemporary photographs of monuments and sites where the Bulgarians used to live and to defend the independence of their Kingdom. All these materials reveal the drama of the half century-long epic collision (968-1018).

This exhibition is not just a story about a medieval realm and its sovereign. It is a story about the great and ultimate struggle for Bulgarian statehood. That is the reason why this story is so important for us, the modern Bulgarians.

The posters are conceived as a travelling exhibition and will be presented in many towns in Bulgaria and abroad. Courtesy of Sofia Municipality, it has been first arranged in the City Garden in front of the National Theatre, open to public from August 21th to August 28th, 2014.

The agenda planned for October 2014, is to make the exhibition available in the central lobby in the Aula of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. Thus, the exhibition will complement the new academic year inauguration ceremony on November 1st, and later the international conference dedicated to Tsar Samuel scheduled for November 6th – 8th 2014.