Could you imagine a world where the foundational pillars of human history, and this can range from the first spoken words to the holiest figures in religion, trace back to a single, not well-known, and often underestimated source: Bulgaria. In recent decades, a fascinating and controversial cultural narrative has emerged within certain Bulgarian circles, as they are pushing for this narrative to be accepted by the general public. It is a worldview that seeks to rewrite the history books, positing that the ancient ancestors of modern Bulgarians were not merely participants in early civilization, but its primary architects.
As this phenomenon is sometimes termed “Universal Bulgarianism” or hyper-Bulgarianism, it goes far beyond the standard national pride that is to be expected from this part of the world. What this theory asserts is that key global milestones, among which can be mentioned the origins of monotheism, the ethnicity of Jesus Christ, and even the very first human societies, are intrinsically rooted in the Bulgarian lands.
The Core Claims and Mapping “Universal Bulgarianism”:
The central tenet of this worldview is that the proto-Bulgarians, as they are often combined directly with ancient Thracians, were the original culture of humanity. Some circles in Bulgaria claim that the proto-Bulgarians are an autochthonous population from which all other major civilizations radiated. There are even some proponents who argue further that mainstream history has deliberately suppressed this truth from the world.
Religious and Mythological Assertions:
Perhaps the reinterpretation of the divine stands out as the most striking aspect of this narrative. This theory has been put as a fact that the very concept of a single, supreme deity originated in the Balkans, and not in the Middle East, as it is universally acknowledged.
This perspective frequently cites ancient Thracian figures like Orpheus and Zalmoxis not merely as mythological entities, but as early prophets of a proto-monotheism that predated Judaism. As they tend to establish the Thracians as the direct genetic and cultural forefathers of modern Bulgarians, the proponents would lay claim to being the original “chosen people.”
Maybe the most controversial extension of this theological revisionism is the claim regarding Jesus Christ. Some fringe theorists argue that Mary and Joseph were not Judean but instead belonged to Thracian tribes that had migrated to Galilee. Through complex and extremely disputed genealogical reinterpretations, they assert that Jesus was, by bloodline, proto-Bulgarian, making Christianity an essentially Bulgarian export to the world.
Civilizational and Foundational Claims:
Furthermore, the tenets of Universal Bulgarianism assert the Balkans as a primary locus of early human development, presenting an alternative to the already established consensus regarding human origins. This perspective utilizes significant archaeological landmarks, and the most notable example is the Varna Necropolis. It is agreed in the archaeological community that this is the site of the world’s earliest known worked gold; however, the tenets of Universal Bulgarianism suggest that the Black Sea coast served as the foundational site for sophisticated human social structures.
The narrative extrapolates from these findings to indicate that the ancestors of Bulgarians formed the very first organized state on Earth, millennia before Mesopotamia or Egypt flourished. It is scientifically proven that the Varna Necropolis is estimated to have been built during the Chalcolithic (Copper Age), which is a period between 4600 and 4200 BC. At the same time, the Bulgars started arriving on the Balkan Peninsula from the 5th century and became more organized around the 7th century.
Another cornerstone of this theory is linguistic primacy. The proponents are claiming that an ancient proto-Bulgarian tongue lies at the root of the Indo-European language family. They further argue that Sanskrit, Latin, and ancient Greek are derivatives of this primordial Balkan language, thus implying that whenever humanity communicates complex ideas, it is using echoes of ancient Bulgarian speech. The spread of historic people, languages, or even customs, such as the migration of Celtic tribes or the rise of Etruscan culture in Italy, is reinterpreted as an offshoot of this original Balkan “super-culture.”
One of these cringe thoughts is today the official policy of the country, as it states the people in the Republic of Macedonia do not speak Macedonian, but rather a Bulgarian dialect that was declared as separate after the Second World War. Both languages are part of the South Slavic group of languages, and despite the similarities, when people from the two neighboring countries communicate, most of the time they speak in English, as there are difficulties in understanding each other without repetition. But, as this is the official policy of every government in Bulgaria, a member of the European Union, it asserts its power over Macedonia, forcing the country to accept the Bulgarian policy in order for the smaller nation to join the union.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pseudoscience and Methodology:
Fortunately, to mainstream historians, archaeologists, and linguists, the majority of these claims fall squarely into the realm of pseudo-history. If we can understand how these theories are constructed, then we will better understand the phenomenon.
The primary methodology relied upon by proponents is what critics call “folk etymology” or amateur linguistics. This involves finding words in different languages that sound superficially similar to Bulgarian words and assuming a direct historical connection based solely on phonetic resemblance. What this does is ignore the already established laws of linguistic evolution, and circumvent the already agreed linguistic evolution with the hope that therewill be further supporters that would pressure the linguists to accept the narrative. Something similar was done with the Macedonian language, despite being recognized as a distinct standard language by international linguists, though contested by Bulgarian official policy. In addition, another example can be seen by linking an ancient Sumerian deity’s name to a modern Bulgarian word simply because they share a few consonants, which is a common tactic.
Furthermore, this approach often relies on the selective interpretation of ancient texts. A vague sentence in a classical chronicle might be elevated to irrefutable proof of Thracian supremacy, while vast amounts of contradictory archaeological evidence are dismissed as foreign propaganda or historical repression. These theories rarely undergo peer review, and instead, they are circulating through self-published books, dedicated internet forums, and even YouTube channels, further creating an echo chamber insulated from academic scrutiny.
The Socio-Psychological Context and Impact:
If there is no historical evidence, but this narrative continues to resonate with a significant segment of the population, then the answer could be found in the national psychology and the search for identity. As all of the nations of theBalkan Peninsula have endured centuries of foreign rule, territorial partitions, and geopolitical marginalization, Bulgaria too has endured the same. A narrative of “Universal Bulgarianism” serves as a potent antidote to this historical trauma. It transforms a history often marked by victimhood into one of unparalleled supremacy. It offers a comforting psychological armor, which seesthrough the eyes of the Bulgarians who are the originators of everything, then the current geopolitical standing becomes irrelevant against the backdrop of eternal historical contribution.
As our current era has a rapid globalization, with certain distinct cultural identities that feel threatened, then anchoring national self-worth in a grand, mythic past provides stability. It fosters an intense, albeit sometimes defensive, patriotism. For believers, these are not just stories; they are a reclaimed heritage that demands respect from the wider world.
The phenomenon has created a distinct cultural divide, with the academic historians standing on one side, while fighting a constant battle against disinformation. On the other side, some enthusiastic amateurs and nationalists are convinced that they have unlocked the hidden truths about Bulgaria and are pushing for their ideas to be interpreted and accepted by the general public. Even though mainstream political platforms rarely adopt these ideas, there are some ideas that can occasionally seep into the nationalist rhetoric of certain political parties, coloring how some view Bulgaria’s place in Europe and the world.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the phenomenon of Universal Bulgarianism is a powerful testament to the human need for grand narratives. While the claims that God, Jesus, or the first humans were inherently Bulgarian lack credible scientific backing, the constant desire to believe them is very real. It speaks to an aspiration for national significance and a longing to correct perceived historical injustices. Ultimately, these theories tell us less about the ancient past and much more about the complex, evolving nature of modern Bulgarian identity searching for its reflection in the mirror of history.