First Bulgarian ministry 1878 (b/w photo)

First Bulgarian ministry 1878. Ministry here means Council of ministers or government in general. This government though is transitional and comprised mostly of Russian officials. Bulgaria was liberated from almost 500 years of Ottoman rule during the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878. Two treaties on the outcome of that war were signed in 1878. And Bulgaria voted it’s constitution in mid 1879. So that leaves the period between 1877 and 1879, during which liberated Bulgarian territories were under Russian governance. It was called Russian temporary government. It’s main goal was to establish modern government structures and to prepare Bulgarian elite for the further development of the state. The ruling Russian officials would have Bulgarian deputies. On this photograph all who are seated are Russian military or administrators. The two standing in the back are Bulgarians. The central seated figure is Imperial commissar – prince Alexander Dondukov – Korsakov , appointed by Alexander II of Russia. Civilian at the table on the far left is Sergey Lukiyanov - Russian jurist and head of all courts of law in this administration. Standing Bulgarian on the right is Marin Drinov – historian and philologist – he is responsible for education and religious matters during this administration.