Hi there!Today I was having an argument on Khan Tervel with one of my colleagues so I accidentally started reading the treats here and I hope you would all allow me to make part of the discussion. I'm not much of a forum guy though I used to like debating so please excuse me if I do not post for a couple of days.The way I see it the whole discussion is a bit odd. It doesn't strictly follow the main topic plus as long as it regards ivkhan (no offense) I think he does really see the whole issue through his book. I think he is way over too confident in what the author is saying and he shouldn't believe every single word Zanov is claiming to be true. If he is to be perceived more seriously he should definitely research more deeply the facts and numbers he is revealing because otherwise he could commit some not very welcomed mistakes.Now I would like to say a few words about the internationally recognized institutions that could back up all ivkahn's claims. I am not aware whether such institutions do actually exist. So far in Western Europe I have barely met people who have any idea where Bulgaria is nowadays (apart from nationals of its closest neighbours and maybe some ex-USSR republics) and I doubt that any major institutions have ever presented Bulgarian studies in their departments. Usually Bulgarian is somehow related and shadowed by either Eastern European Studies or Slavic Language Studies or some Byzantic studies so no one in the so called Western world has ever expressed any particular interest in Bulgarian studies. By now mainly Russian and Balkan academics have explored Bulgarian history and culture and are not even closer to specific facts about origins, race, language and etc. Not all available historical sources have been well investigated and not all facts have been disclosed due to strictly political reasons (USSR influence). Somehow Bulgarian history has always been ignored. It is true that the paths of Western and Eastern Europe have diverged at some point in time but a total neglect of what has been going on next to you is ridiculous. I do not know whether I have to prove any of my words, you can find a proof in most of the popular encyclopedias or history books. If by chance there is any data there it will be as brief as a slogan especially the period before the 19th century. So in few words I think ivkhan's passionate topic although unintentionally picked has been a good provocation for any of you to start discussing it.Maybe Bulgarians did not turn to be the saviours of Europe but they certainly made a major contribution to Europe by defeating the Arabs and if one takes more continental approach I would say that both battles (the one of Tours as well) have played a considerable role in keeping Arabs out of this continent.Okay. I'm tired of writing though I might add something later on.