site.btaUPDATED New Tender for Restoration of Soldiers' Monument in Front of National Palace of Culture to Be Held, Sofia Mayor Says

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev announced Tuesday that he has decided to terminate the tender procedure for the restoration of the Soldiers' Monument in the space in front of Sofia's National Palace of Culture congress centre. On Facebook, Terziev said that a new tender will be held.

"Before the local elections, the fourth consecutive tender for the restoration of the Soldiers' Monument in front of the National Palace of Culture was opened. This monument is the subject of much controversy and is an example of the need to have a conscious discussion about our history as a society," Terziev’s statement reads.

"We will hold a new tender and will include respected urban planners, architects, artists, sculptors, historians, sociologists, professional organizations, citizens' associations," Sofia Mayor further said.

A meeting for public discussion of the project will be held later in July, Terziev stressed.

Later on Tuesday, GERB-UDF's municipal councillors at the Sofia Municipal Council came out with a statement against Terziev's decision, as they say it puts a long-awaited project on hold.