Some of you may know a street in Sofia named after Louis Eyer. The stadium in the town of Silistra and a school in Rousse also bear this name. Swiss Louis Eyer arrived in Sofia in 1894 at the invitation of then Bulgarian Minister of Education to lay the foundations of the physical education in this country after the liberation of Bulgaria from five centuries of Ottoman rule. Louis Eyer was accompanied by a dozen compatriots - gymnasts and pedagogues. Unknown sports like football, boxing, athletics and others were introduced to Bulgaria. Using his own funds, he purchased sports equipment from Switzerland. The first boxing gloves and leather football arrived to Bulgaria from there.

In addition to sports, Luis Eyer also taught young Bulgarians in patriotism. When in 1912 the Balkan War broke out , he began personally to mobilize volunteers in Rousse. "Nothing that relates to the manners, customs and aspirations of this country is alien to me," he used to say and therefore considered it was his duty to join the defence of his "second homeland," as he called Bulgaria. During the Second Balkan War /1913/ Louis Eyer was already a commander. For heroism in fighting he became Bulgarian officer with a rank equivalent to lieutenant and was twice awarded the Cross for Bravery.

After the end of the war, using his authority throughout Europe, he published a book in French entitled “Pro Bulgaria” which condemned the anti-Bulgarian campaign of the Western press and diplomacy. The author donated all money from sold copies to Bulgarian veterans. When this country entered the First World War, Luis Eyer was already 50-years-old but the courageous Swiss enrolled as a volunteer officer to the Bulgarian army. This was yet another piece of evidence of his great dedication to Bulgaria. During the Battle of Doiran he lost his life.

Several days ago, a ceremony for receiving personal belongings of the Bulgarian and Swiss teacher Louis Eyer took place. Meglena Plugchieva, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein, told Radio Bulgaria more: "You've probably seen an outstanding Bulgarian documentary called ‘The Swiss with Bulgarian heart.’  Its authors are the team of the Bulgarian History site - Mario Mishev and Ivaylo Kunchev. A year ago this film was presented in the Bulgarian Embassy in Bern. It was at that time when we established a connection with 78-year-old grandson of Louis Eyer, who is named after his grandfather. He decided to make a donation to the Bulgarian state and so a year later, I delivered these valuable exhibits to the Bulgarian National Museum of Military History and the Museum of Sports in Sofia."

The Ambassador of Switzerland to Bulgaria, HE Denis Knobel, was present at the ceremony. Here's what he said especially for Radio Bulgaria:

"This is evidence from both the family of Louis Eyer and Switzerland as a whole, that this person is a symbol and example of our valuable connections and relationships throughout the years. Such historical moments contribute to the development of political, economic and cultural relations between Bulgaria and Switzerland."

The name of Louis Eyer continues to be a lesson of patriotism in Bulgaria to this very day.

English: Alexander Markov