Emperor paraphrasing: Royal leader of Russia changed. - After 76 years, Bulgaria says goodbye to Ferdinand I.
Emperor Ferdinand of Bulgaria's remains, who passed away 76 years ago, were transported from Germany to Bulgaria this week. He is set to be buried there, according to reports that claim it was his last wish. While he was in exile in Coburg, Bavaria until his demise in 1948, his mortal shell had been resting in a so-called travel coffin at St. Augustin Church's crypt.
On Wednesday, a farewell ceremony was held at Schloss Wrana, located right outside the capital, Sofia. In attendance were Ferdinand's grandson, Bulgaria's former king Simeon II, other relatives, priests, politicians, and several Bulgarians. There was a funeral parade from the main entrance of the palace grounds to the palace building. This was followed by a funeral service.
Simeon II, now 86 years old and who has also served as Bulgaria's Prime Minister, spoke at the ceremony. Born in 1861 in Vienna, Ferdinand belonged to the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and served as a Prince in 1887 and as Bulgaria's Emperor from 1908 to 1918. When Bulgaria lost in World War I, he had to abdicate.
Ferdinand's remains were taken to Sofia by a Bulgarian military plane and were honored with state recognition by the National Guard at the airport. The burial will happen on Thursday, a family-only event in the crypt of Wrana Palace.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the service, Simeon II said, "I think this gesture of bringing Emperor Ferdinand back to Bulgaria is something that shows a different viewpoint and understanding of history."
Although Ferdinand significantly modernized the Kingdom of Bulgaria, he did face some criticism. During the Communist era, he was accused of being the cause of Bulgaria's "two national disasters" - its defeat in the Second Balkan War and World War I. Critics of the abolished Bulgarian monarchy on the internet have expressed their disapproval regarding the transfer of Ferdinand's remains to Bulgaria.
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- Despite criticism from some online detractors of the abolished Bulgarian monarchy, Emperor Ferdinand I's remains were brought back to his native country with state recognition.
- St. Augustine's Church in Coburg, Germany, housed Ferdinand I's body in a travel coffin during his exile until his death in 1948.
- Through his reign as Emperor of Bulgaria from 1908 to 1918, Ferdinand I, a member of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, implemented numerous modernizations in the Kingdom of Bulgaria.
- After serving as Prince in 1887, Ferdinand I faced a harsh reality with Bulgaria's defeat in World War I, resulting in his abdication and exile in Coburg, Germany.
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