Bulgaria's Soviet Army memorial in the centre of the nations capital Sofia, is seen as a memorial to the 'brave soviet soldiers,' who liberated Bulgaria in 1944 by the Russians.
Whereas Bulgarians don't see it in quite the same light. Many say it celebrates the occupation of the country by the Soviet army in 1944, right up until 199,1 when communism collapsed in Europe.
Since then, stuck with the monolith in the centre of their city, local graffiti artists have been having great fun, by daubing the monument, which was unveiled in 1954, with various colours signifying various changes of mood in the country.
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| Monument of the Soviet Army Sofia .... Liberation Or Conquest? |
Whereas Bulgarians don't see it in quite the same light. Many say it celebrates the occupation of the country by the Soviet army in 1944, right up until 199,1 when communism collapsed in Europe.
Since then, stuck with the monolith in the centre of their city, local graffiti artists have been having great fun, by daubing the monument, which was unveiled in 1954, with various colours signifying various changes of mood in the country.
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| Bulgaria's Soviet Army Memorial 'Vandalised' |
In 2014 it was painted with the Ukrainian national colours in support of the 2014 Maidan uprising, which saw the pro Russian President expelled. While the persecution of the anti-Kremlin punk band Pussy Riot, led to a balaclava make-over in their honour
This has regularly caused the Russian Government under Vladimir Putin, to complain bitterly about this 'vandalism' and 'disrespect' to heroes. Finally the Bulgarian Ministry of the Interior felt compelled to move to action, and in October 2018 they announced that there would be CCTV cameras and regular police patrols keeping an eye on the monolithic pile.
However this bowing to Russian sensibilities has not gone without comment, in a country still sensitive to an occupation that ended so recently. Some on social media have pointed out that in a country where some villages don't even have regular police patrols, its seems an extravagance to have to find the money to guard monuments to old foreign communist troops.
This has regularly caused the Russian Government under Vladimir Putin, to complain bitterly about this 'vandalism' and 'disrespect' to heroes. Finally the Bulgarian Ministry of the Interior felt compelled to move to action, and in October 2018 they announced that there would be CCTV cameras and regular police patrols keeping an eye on the monolithic pile.
However this bowing to Russian sensibilities has not gone without comment, in a country still sensitive to an occupation that ended so recently. Some on social media have pointed out that in a country where some villages don't even have regular police patrols, its seems an extravagance to have to find the money to guard monuments to old foreign communist troops.
The Bulgarian capital Sophia, I didn't know that.
ReplyDeleteWell it was last time I visited ...
DeleteHa ha ... I did of course mean Sofia
DeleteIt was renamed Sofia in 1376 after the Church of St Sophia. However, it was called both "Sofia" and "Sredets" until the 16th century, when the new name gradually replaced the old one
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why the name Sofia has caused so much comment?? That's the name, what's the issue?
DeleteOops ... You say Sophia and I say Sofia ... lets call the whole thing off. Haha I dont think you noticed what tey were laughing about.
DeleteDo you know what, I have only just realised what everyone was mocking me about. DOH! LOL ... what an idiot I was being hahaha ... thanks for the comment, and pointing out the obvious. I was obviously having a senior moment back then.
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