'Vandalized' Sofia Soviet Monument to Be Quickly Washed - Socialists

Sculptures of Soviet soldiers in Bulgarian capital have been transformed into Superman, Santa Claus and Ronald McDonald. Photo from Herald Sun

The Soviet Army monument in Bulgaria's capital Sofia, which was ironically decorated to represent US pop culture characters, will be quickly washed, Bulgarian socialists have pledged.

The "vandalized" monument will be washed by activists from the Bulgarian Socialist Party's youth movement.

On Saturday, an unknown street artist painted the bronze figures of Soviet soldiers turning into various characters – including Superman, Santa Claus, Batman's friend Robin and his adversary the Joker (Batman himself is absent), and McDonalds's symbol Ronald McDonald, among others.

The Soviet flag waved by the soldiers is painted to become a US flag, while a big inscription added by the artist says below the soldier statues says, "Rolling with Time."

The witty makeover attracted flocks of foreign tourists rushing to take photos with it.

The Soviet Army monument in the Bulgarian capital Sofia has been a bone of contention among "anti-communists", "russophobes", and other groups ever since the fall of communism in 1989.

Late on Saturday, it was announced that the Bulgarian police have started a search for the unknown artist, also described as a "vandal".

Even though the Sofia municipality condemned the street artist, he quickly received acclaim across the global media, with Daily Mail and The Herald sun naming him or her the "Bulgarian Banksy".

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!