Over the years, ‘The Little Fisherman’ has seen its ups and downs. Rumour has it that, years ago, after a drinking session, local residents decided to cut off the boy’s fishing rod, and today he holds only the thick end of the rod in his right hand. However, around 30 years ago, the statue was surrounded by three jets spraying water to a height of almost a metre, accompanied by decorative lighting in the late hours. A decorative fountain, designed by architect Vesela Toncheva Veselinova, was built nearby in 2003.

‘The Little Fisherman’ is something of a guardian of the neighbourhood community. It isn’t listed in any guidebook, but if it were to disappear, half of Sofia would notice.