Vol. 108 No. 1 (2025): Annual of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" - Faculty of History
This volume constitutes an integrated interdisciplinary collection of studies that examine the historical evolution of the Balkans across broad temporal, methodological, and thematic dimensions — spanning from population-level genetic reconstructions of medieval societies to investigations of social changes during the socialist period of the twentieth century. The historical contributions explore critical aspects of medieval state-building, warfare, diplomacy, and religious policy, including the incorporation of Macedonia under Tsar Kaloyan, the Venetian and Latin involvement in the Fourth Crusade, the military agency of Villehardouin, and Byzantine–Bulgarian monastic relations, as well as reflections on Bulgaria’s international position in the post-World War II diplomatic arena. In parallel, the anthropological and ethnological studies provide rich empirical data based on field research along the Danube, addressing identity formation, linguistic heritage, community memory, ecological interactions, and migration-driven social configurations, with attention to groups such as Vlachs, Jews, Roma, and lifestyle migrants. Complemented by critical reviews and commemorative essays, the volume articulates a multidisciplinary vision of historical inquiry that synthesizes biological, cultural, and socio-political perspectives, and thereby contributes to a nuanced understanding of the enduring and transformative dynamics of Balkan societies.
