Armed Robbery in Bansko

In this week’s Buzz:

• Performing arts academy for children in Bansko

• New cycle path planned from Bansko to Razlog

• Different parking places have changed into paid parking in town

• Beehive members meet up this coming week

• Christmas lights switch on

• Christmas events, workshops and bazaars coming up this week and next

• Christmas charity run by Bansko Run Club

• It looks massively different to last year. Virtually no snow on the mountain 6 days before opening day

A 24-year-old local man arrested after armed robbery of a Bansko petrol station.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a 24-year-old man from Bansko, brandishing a pistol and wearing a balaclava and hoodie, entered the Petrol gas station at the bottom end of town.

He threatened the female worker behind the counter and demanded she give him all of the money she had in the till. He managed to get away with 240 leva in cash, but the police were alerted and launched an investigation.

After viewing CCTV footage and taking witness statements, the local police in Bansko managed to track down and arrest the armed robber later that day. Identified as a 24-year-old from Bansko, he was detained by police and a file was put forward to the prosecutor’s office. Read about the story here [Translation required]. There is one report that the man used a toy gun and he was desperate to get money to feed his children.

Keep in mind that this type of incident isn’t common in Bansko, and crime levels in general are extremely low compared to many other parts of the world.

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 123 New Posts, 💬 371 Comments, 👍️ 2,180 Reactions

My Accountant is Putting Their Prices up. Does Anyone Know a Good One?
Andrea posted asking for recommendations for an accountant for her VAT-registered business in Bulgaria. See who people suggested.

Balkan Holidays No Longer Offers Package Holidays. Who Does?
Simon is looking for a package-based ski holiday to come to Bansko (flights, accommodation, etc) and wonders which company people suggest since the UK arm of Balkan Holidays ceased trading earlier this year.

Performing Arts Academy for Children
Tori wants to set up a performing arts academy in Bansko for children aged 7 to 17 years and wants to know if people are interested. See what people had to say.

Barriers Being Installed at Shiligarnika Parking
Ian shared some images of barriers being installed at the parking area at Shaligarnika (where people can park during ski season for a fee and where it is usually free parking outside of ski season: a good place to park and then hike). It’s not clear whether this will operate all year round as paid parking, but that’s the expectation.

Bansko & Beyond

Ice Rink Opens in Bansko
The ice rink on Pirin Street has officially opened for people to ice skate. Prices have risen by just 1 BGN this year, meaning it will be 26 BGN for adults and 16 BGN for children for two hours of skating. Skate hire is extra. Read more.

New Cycle Path Planned from Bansko to Razlog
A new cycle path project from Bansko to Razlog is seeking bids from companies to complete it. The budget has been set at 1.44 million BGN and a maximum completion time of 8 months. It’s still in the planning stage, so I wouldn’t expect this to open until late 2026 or into 2027. Read more [Translation required].

Early Bird Season Pass Price Ends Soon
The early bird season pass price (1,700 BGN instead of the expected 1,900 BGN regular price) has been extended until the opening day of the ski season (13th of December). Read more.

Renovations Complete on Children’s Playgrounds and Sports Areas
The municipality has finished its renovations of children’s playgrounds and sports areas in Bansko. These new sports areas have upgraded LED lighting, with slides and other playground equipment for children to play on. With two new playgrounds on Pirin Street and Obrishte Street, there are a handful of playgrounds in different areas of town. Read more.

Christmas Lights Switch On
On Friday (5th), the Christmas lights were switched on in Bansko with a celebration in the town square. Hearing from people who attended, this year the organisation and event were much better than in previous years. It’s definitely feeling more festive in town now. Read more.

An Increase in Year-round Paid Parking Areas in Bansko
A few different areas where people would park in Bansko have now either disappeared or become paid parking. The car park opposite Castello now has an apartment complex being developed on it, and the car parks opposite Guinness Hotel and next to The Chef’s House have now become year-round paid parking areas. If you live in Bansko or come to town often, it’ll probably be best to purchase a yearly blue zone parking permit (from 120 BGN for the year).

Get The Best Price: Sell Your Apartment

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Events Next Week

Festive Narrow Gauge Train to Celebrate Eighty Years
On Tuesday (9th), the “Rhodopes” train from Septemvri will be festively dressed. The train will pass through Bansko train station around 1pm on its way to Dobrinishte. A celebration will then take place on Saturday (13th) at 6pm at the community centre in Dobrinishte. More info.

Social Service Users Christmas Bazaar
A Christmas Bazaar for social service users will take place over consecutive days from the 10th of December to the 13th of December (11am to 6pm) at the Nikola Vaptsarov-1984 community centre in Bansko.

Christmas Charity Run in Bansko
Bansko Run Club(ish) is putting together a 5km charity run with funds being raised for Bansko Street Dogs. The plan is to meet at 4pm on Friday 12th of December, for a run/walk/wobble of 5km to raise funds: they’re asking for a 5 BGN participation fee, and fancy dress is compulsory. More info.

Season Opening Rave at Star Bar Basecamp
On Friday (12th) from 9pm to 5am, AWAKE events is taking over Star Bar Basecamp for a techno rave, inspired by the energy of Berlin. Entry will be 10 BGN. More info.

Ski Season Opening Day
The ski season will officially open on Saturday (13th) at Banderishka Polyana in the morning and in the evening in the main square in Bansko town. More info.

Winter Hiking With Split The Mountain
Split The Mountain is organising winter hikes of Vihren and Todorka this coming weekend. On Saturday (13th), it will be a hike up Vihren peak (more info; translation required), and on Sunday (14th), it will be a hike up Todorka (more info; translation required). Both of these two hikes will also occur on January 17th and 18th, respectively.

Telescopes Under The Stars (Planetarium)
With its opening event on Sunday (14th), Planetarium takes place in Bansko. From the following week, observations from a telescope will take place on Fridays and Saturdays 7pm to 8pm (price 7€) and lectures on Saturdays and Sundays at 2.30pm to 4.30pm (price 5€). The lectures will take place in English or Russian. More info.

Children’s Workshops and Events at ZZ Playland Cafe
ZZ Playland Cafe has put together a calendar of events and workshops for children at their location on Gotse Delchev Street. These include painting workshops, a chocolate workshop, and a Christmas party on December 23rd. More info.

Bansko Street Dogs’ Christmas Bazaar
BSD is having their annual Christmas Bazaar at the new Hub location (Bansko Royal Towers). On Sunday 14th of December, starting at 2pm at The Hub, there will be stalls selling winter gear, food & drinks, and other locally made items. Hot wine will also be available. More info.

Bansko Street Dogs Pub Quiz
This will take place on Monday 15th of December at The Chef’s House. The quiz starts at 7.30pm and the entry fee is 10 BGN. More info.

Children’s Christmas Workshops at Lotus Vibe
On two Sundays in December (21st & 28th), Lotus Vibe will be hosting a Christmas workshop for children from 3.30pm to 5pm. Parents/Guardians should contact the organisers to reserve a place. More info.

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Photo of the Week

The centre of Bansko on a rainy morning.

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