site.btaContinue the Change Issue Position on Dismantling of Soviet Army Monument

"We are restoring and relocating the Soviet Army Monument to remember the past, but also to say it is time to move forward. We want to draw a clear line between the monuments to the Russians who died for the freedom of our country, which we honour, and, on the other hand, the totems of Soviet totalitarianism," Continue the Change (CC) said Wednesday on their official Facebook profile on the occasion of the beginning of the dismantling of the monument.

The process of dismantling parts of the Soviet Army Monument in downtown Sofia began on Tuesday, causing an uproar and people and parties traditionally opposed to the plans for removal of the monument rushed to protect it. People rallied "for" the dismantling of the monument as well. On Wednesday, work on dismantling the figures from the monument continues.

"Thirty-three years ago we parted with the totalitarian state, with the Communist Party apparatus, with the ghosts of the Cold War. However, the symbols of that dark period for Bulgaria and the world have remained intact all these years and occupy a central place in our present," the position said. 

"We are convinced that the most honourable place in Sofia should have symbols of Bulgaria's freedom and independence, not of worshipping a foreign army of a long-defunct state. We believe that we will move forward with the confidence of the lessons of history. We owe it to our parents, and to the next generations of Bulgarians," CC said.