Bulgaria: Soviet Army monument - protest.

Sofia, Bulgaria - May 14, 2026 The Sofia Municipality today took control of part of the Soviet heritage that had previously belonged to the government – the Monument to the Soviet Army. The decision concentrates responsibility for the future of the monument in one place – in the municipality. Until now, the land under the monument garden belonged to the municipality, but the figures belonged to the government. Socialists and pro-Russian activists saw this as another step in the demolition of the monument, which was removed under the pretext that it was dangerous and that the figures would be rehabilitated. The protesters brought photos of some of the figures, which have already been dismantled and are currently in a desperate state in the Museum of Socialist Art. Therefore, the day passed with tension in front of the municipality building, where they shouted "Resignation". The main demands of the protesters were: - Stop the relocation process. - Recognition of the monument as part of the cultural and historical heritage and the memory of the victory over Nazism. - Accusations of the local authorities in serving foreign geopolitical interests. The monument, erected in 1954, has been the hottest point of division in Bulgarian post-communist society for years. The last five years were decisive: Between 2021–2023: Art actions and painting of the figures became more frequent, while right-wing political forces increased pressure for its removal after the start of the war in Ukraine. December 2023: Under increased police guard, the dismantling of the tallest figures began on the grounds that they were dangerous to passers-by. They were cut up and sent for storage in a state warehouse in the village of Lozen. Between 2024–2025: Legal battles followed. The Administrative Court has repeatedly stopped and allowed the dismantling, leaving the monument in a "skeleton" state in the center of Sofia. Today’s decision paves the way for the final relocation of the figures to the Museum of Socialist Art or another suitable location, after a public consultation. For Moscow, this act will likely be interpreted as another step in the “war on monuments”, while for the majority in Sofia it is an attempt to “normalize” the urban environment and get rid of the symbols of the totalitarian past. An international competition is expected to be announced for its complete reconstruction of the complex around the monument, where some of the smaller Soviet figures still stand.