The author of the graffiti which turned the soldiers of the monument of the Soviet Army in downtown Sofia into American mass culture characters should be given the honorary citizen title.

The idea was launched by municipal councilman and former candidate for Mayor of Sofia, Martin Zaimov, from "Alliance for Sofia."

Zaimov, however, told media representatives Thursday that his proposal has been rejected on the grounds of procedural hurdles such as the need for the nominated individual to submit an autobiography and a written agreement. The name of the artist still remains unknown.

The councilman is further asking to have a large billboard with the picture of the graffiti placed directly across the monument. He has also collected enough signatures from colleagues to submit a report on the state and the future of the monument.

Zaimov went to the City Hall meeting wearing a t-shirt with the picture of the graffiti. These t-shirts have become a hit in Bulgaria since Tuesday when the monument was washed clean.

On Saturday, June 18, an unknown street artist painted the bronze figures of Soviet soldiers in downtown Sofia, turning them into various US superhero and other pop culture characters – including The Joker, Wolverine, Santa, Superman, Ronald McDonald, Captain America, Robin, and Wonder Woman.

The Soviet flag waved by the soldiers turned into a US flag, while a big inscription added by the artist says below the soldier statues, said "Rolling with Time."

The monument was cleaned overnight Tuesday by the forum "Bulgaria-Russia," hours before the time officially announced for the media.

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