The poster on the scaffolding that until recently surrounded the 37-metre-high monument depicts a tree - its roots lead back to ancient Thracian times and its highest branches point to the country's EU accession and future membership of Schengen and the eurozone. 

On the historical tree from the past to the future stand out the portraits of prominent revolutionaries Georgi Rakovski, Vasil Levski, Hristo Botev and Zahari Stoyanov, as well as Stefan Stambolov, who is the only Bulgarian statesman depicted on the canvas. 

The monument to the Soviet army has caused controversy for nearly 30 years and is to be moved from the city centre.