Superman appears on Soviet monument

A vast monument in Sofia commemorating the Soviet liberation of Bulgaria from the Nazis has been given a mischievous makeover.

The nine-figure composition, in which Red Army soldiers come to the rescue of the Bulgarian folk, has been painted over, with Superman, Santa Claus, Ronald McDonald, Batman's sidekick Robin and the Joker all making an appearance.

The monument is a divisive presence in the city, with some Bulgarians keen to highlight the plight of the Red Army, and its huge losses in the wartime march across Nazi-occupied, whilst others see the life-size bronze relief as relic of Soviet occupation.

An unidentified artist sprayed the slogan Abreast with the Times beneath the monument. However, if caught, the culprit could face a 2500 euro fine, or worse still, jail.

The monument was originally erected on the tenth anniversary of the liberation of Bulgaria, but since the fall of communism it has been regularly vandalised, although never with quite the panache of the current treatment.