A Tradition That Lasts Until Spring

In this week’s Buzz:

• Where do I report a ski instructor in Bansko for being aggressive?

• Baba Marta & martenitsas: what is the tradition and what are they anyway

• Car park near French Guy Bakery turns into 24-hour paid parking (park “anywhere” permits not valid)

• Two quiz events battling it out in the same week again

• Why does there seem to be an increase in the “disappearance” of skis and snowboards this year?

Baba Marta: Bidding Farewell To Winter And Welcoming The Spring

Baba Marta is a centuries-old tradition where Bulgarians bid farewell to the winter and welcome the spring. Warm, sunny days are coming.

Wearing and giving martenitsas usually happens on or just after the 1st day of March (so this coming weekend), where people give friends and family members a martenitsa, which is a decorative red and white twisted thread that helps protect the wearer against evil spirits and is said to bring them luck & happiness.

The martenitsa is worn on the wrist as a bracelet or on clothes and is usually given to friends and family members. You'll see many different designs in the shops around Bansko, and lots of people tend to choose a specific design that means something to the person who will wear it. The act of giving the martenitsa is to bring the wearer luck and happiness.

These martenistas are worn continuously until the first sign of spring, which usually involves seeing a stork, a swallow or a blossoming tree. People will then tie their martenitsa to the blossoming tree and thus pass on their good health and luck to the tree.

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 161 New Posts, 💬 981 Comments, 👍️ 2,984 Reactions

Ooops! Car Rolled Over On Its Side! 😂
Bozhidar posted a photo of a car that ended up on its side in a car park. Some of the comments are funny. If you want a giggle, head over and read a few.

Where Can I Report A Ski Instructor For Being Aggressive?
Karen wondered where she could report a ski instructor for being aggressive to her daughter, who was on a slope in Bansko and clipped his skis as she passed. He then took her skis off and threw them in the ravine. See what advice people had.

Are There Any Decent Short Walks Near The Gondola?
Paula wants to have a walk up the mountain to see some different places and wants advice on where some short walk routes are. A few people offered suggestions.

I’m Looking For Cycle-dependent Female Hormone Tests
Letti posted asking if any women could advise a lab in the local area where she could have some hormone tests and advice on who to use. Some people had some suggestions.

How Do Gondola Passes Work For PWD? I’m Travelling With a Disabled Child
Kirsty is coming to Bansko with her disabled son and wonders how the gondola works for people with disabilities (PWD). Lots of people offered information about costs, wait times, and how disability awareness for both Ulen and in Bansko isn’t that great (compared to the west).

Local/Municipality News

Car Park Near French Guy Bakery Turns Into 24-hour Paid Parking
From tomorrow (Monday 24th), the car park on Otets Paisiy Street (near The French Guy Bakery) will turn into a 24-hour paid parking place. The “park anywhere” permits for Bansko won’t be valid for this location. However, you’ll get 20 minutes for free, so getting some chocolate bread or sourdough from the bakery should be just as easy. More info.

Bansko Does Well at 30th Anniversary of Samokov Ski Cup
Once again, youngsters from Bansko’s ski clubs (Ski Club Bansko and Ski Club El Tepe) have done well at the Ski Cup competition in Samokov: this time around it was the 30th anniversary of the competition. Nine individuals finished in recognised places and “…demonstrated good preparation and sportsmanship”. More info.

More Alpine Successes By Young Skiers From Bansko
Following the recent successes mentioned in previous newsletters, youngsters from Bansko have won medals at the Pokal Loka Cup in Slovenia (securing returning victories in some races: more info) and the Zagreb Children Trophy in Croatia (more info). It looks like the Yulen Ski Team is doing well this year, and many will be looking forward to the Bansko Cup that takes place on the 4th and 5th of March.

Promoting Bansko As a Year-round Resort
Different representatives attended a two-day forum, "Brand Bulgaria - Hospitality For Four Seasons," recently. A key topic for those from Bansko was the town's ambitions to become a year-round resort for tourists. It looks like we will see more tourists this summer, similar to the increases we’ve seen this winter. More info [translation required].

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Events Next Week

Bansko Street Dogs Pub Quiz
On Monday (24th), Bansko Street Dogs hosts their next pub quiz at Zehtindjieva Kashta (great parlenka there btw) at 7.30pm. Want to join a team or register your own? Message BSD’s Facebook page here.

Pub Quiz at D & Vino
D & Vino seem to have switched their two-weekly pub quiz, too 🤷. On Thursday (27th), at 8pm at their venue on Glazne Street (14a), they will have a pub quiz of 4 rounds of ten questions and a fifth round with five harder questions. Entrance fee is 10BGN. More info.

Nomad Freaking 3.0
Not much information on what it is or what kind of music, so it’s anyone’s guess if you haven’t been before. It’s on Friday 28th at 10pm at Contrabar (103 Yavor Street). Event link (with absolutely no more info 🤦).

Rock Band Black Rose Live At Star Bar Basecamp
On Saturday (1st), the band Black Rose from Blagoevgrad will perform at Star Bar Basecamp in Bansko, playing rock and blues. Everything starts at around 10pm, and you must reserve your place. More info.

Drum & Base Avalanche Takeover at Contrabar
On Saturday (1st) from 10pm at Contrabar on Yavor Street (103) there will be a drum and base avalanche takeover with a number of DJs, including: pAnega, DTK, Wavy, harryUP, Goldrum, and Paramether. More info.

Regular Weekly Events This Week
Tuesday: Art & Wine at Altspace 6.30pm; Bottomless Wings night at Smokey Mountain 6.30pm
Thursday: Bongo Bingo at The Hub from 8pm; Pool Tournament at Smokey Mountain from 6pm
Friday: Beers at Altspace Central from 5.30pm; Karaoke at The Hub from 8pm.
All require pre-booking, apart from the Friday & Sunday events. 

Photo of the Week

The sheer scale of the Pirin Mountains.
This month’s winner of the BNB group cover photo competition.

Tag @banskobuzz to get your photo in the Buzz.