site.btaVazrazhdane Party Meets with Russian Embassy Representatives

Representatives of Bulgaria's Vazrazhdane party and of the Russian Embassy held a meeting to discuss the future of the Soviet Army Monument in central Sofia, the party's press office said on Wednesday.

Vazrazhdane was represented by leader Kostadin Kostadinov, Deyan Nikolov, chairman of the party's Sofia chapter and municipal councillor, and Sofia Municipal Councillor Emil Dimitrov.

The Russian Embassy was represented by Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova,  Valentin Solodkin, head of Bilateral Relations, and Cultural Affairs Counsellor Anastasia Kabanova.

The meeting was prompted by the Russian Embassy's concern about Vazrazhdane's position on the Soviet Army Monument and its future. The representatives of Vazrazhdane reiterated their adamant position that the monument must be restored. They firmly believe the monument epitomizes the historic past and the link between the Russian and the Bulgarian people, and is also a symbol of the victory over fascism.

The dismantling of the monument began on December 12, 2023. Sofia Regional Governor Vyara Todeva explained at the time that the bronze sculptures which were removed would be inventoried and transported to a place for safekeeping. This will be followed by the award of a public procurement contract to restore the sculptures for the first time in 70 years. An examination revealed major cracks which made them a hazard for passers-by. The plan was to put the sculptures on display at the Museum of Socialist Art after they were restored.

On December 19, 2023, at Vazrazhdane's request, the Sofia City Administrative Court ordered the unconditional termination of the dismantling of the monument. On April 9, 2024, the Supreme Administrative Court invalidated that order. 

The participants in Wednesday's meeting also discussed the prospects for Bulgarian-Russian relations. Kostadinov said the party's position was unchanged: "For us Bulgarians, Russia is a strategic partner and ally with whom we should have close relations. The current situation, given Bulgaria's colonized and occupied status, does not allow us to achieve these goals, but our time will come. As you can see, the situation in the world is changing literally before our eyes, so the moment is not far off when we will regain the freedom to decide for ourselves what to do with the future of our fatherland!"