Bagpipes, Babugeri & Bells in Bansko

Unification Day Celebrations and
Unique Bansko’s Sixth Culinary
& Folklore Festival

Have you ever felt the power of a tradition so deep it rings through the streets? This Unification Day, Bansko comes alive with the sound of bagpipes, bells clanging, and delicious aromas. The "Unique Bansko" festival is back for its sixth year, inviting you to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture that makes the town special.

On Friday (starting at 6pm), there will be a procession of bagpipes, music, Babujere (Kukeri) & bells that will start outside the main church clocktower. From 7pm until 9.30pm, there will be a culinary exhibition bazaar in the central square.

On Saturday, it’s a “taste & aromas” celebration, starting at 6pm in the main square. Different types of food will be presented from local mehanas and taverns. From 7pm there will be different folklore amateur groups on the main stage playing traditional music, and from 9pm to 10pm there will be a presentation from local blacksmiths about making wrought iron products (in front of the fountains).

On Sunday, traditional Kurban (lamb soup) will be prepared by the grandmothers of Bansko and distributed at 12noon in the square. Local bakers will prepare special breads and also have a competition for best pie in Bansko. From 11.30am, on the main stage in the town square, “Folk magic from Pirin” will be performed by the educational puppet theater NATFIZ from Sofia.

For more information and details about different timings on the individual days, please see this page (translation required).

This is the final main summer 2024 event in Bansko.

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Local/Municipality News

Unification Day on Friday (National Holiday)
On Friday, Bulgaria celebrates Unification Day. In 1885, 139 years ago, the two parts of Bulgaria joined together to create a stable nation: the Principality of Berlin and Eastern Rumelia in the south (where Bansko is located) after being separated some seven years earlier by the Treaty of Berlin. Read more here. All government offices will be closed on Friday, and some shops may have alternative hours. The weekend is also expected to be busy in both Bansko and throughout the country.

Celebrating World Dog Day
Bulgaria’s Mountain Rescue Service celebrated World Dog Day on Monday by showing off two of their recent recruits: Pirin from the Bansko troop and Nero from the Troyan troop. They both look like they’ll be eager searchers when they grow up 😁. More info.

Gondola Stops Continuous Movement
The gondola in Bansko will run continuously (8am to 4.30pm) until 4.30pm next Sunday (8th). From the following Monday, 9th of September, it will switch back to once up in the morning and once down in the afternoon. More info.

Safety Comes First for Bansko Municipality
The municipality has reminded people to consider safety when heading out on a scooter, as accidents have become more common in recent months. A pretty sensible request considering the number of people zooming about town on scooters and segways etc. More info.

Chapel of St. George Fully Restored
The Chapel of St. George in Gostun (near Mesta) has been fully restored after fire damage. Volunteers helped to restore the roof and other parts of the chapel, with donations covering the cost of materials. More info.

Helping Non-Profits in Bansko

Three local charities do great work in Bansko and surrounding areas. Let’s support them: click/tap on their name below to donate.

Sunflower
They continuously support the four safety homes in Bansko, the dementia home in Mesta, and the Sdravetz Centre for people with special needs.

Bansko Street Dogs
Helping street dogs in Bansko and the surrounding areas through emergency care, neutering, flea & tick treatment, and kennels/feeding stations to keep streeties warm, dry and well-nourished.

Mountain Rescue Service
Made up mostly of volunteers, they’ll respond to a call 24/7, hiking to rescue someone no matter what the conditions.

Events Next Week

Bansko Open Tennis Charity Event
Returning for its third year in two weeks (14th & 15th of September), the Bansko Open Tennis Championship brings together tennis players to battle it out for the trophy and raise money for a local charity (Bansko Street Dogs). Registering as a participant will close as soon as the limit on numbers has been reached, so register now. More info.

The Way of the Heart Painting Exhibition Continues
Sashka Rupchina is showing off her energy paintings exhibition, The Way of the Heart, in Bansko. Monday (2nd) 9am to 6pm and Tuesday (3rd) 9am to 6pm: at the Tourist Information Center in Bansko.

Charity Walks on a Sunday
Carole organises a walk on a Sunday with a request for contributions to help raise money for Bansko Street Dogs. Keep an eye out for her posts about organising one in the Bansko Notice Board group. More info.

Unique Bansko’s Culinary Exhibition & Bazaar
Key timings: Friday (6th): 6pm in the square near the clock tower (main church) for music & celebrations. Saturday (7th): The main event will be in the square at 6pm. Sunday (8th): 11.30am main event in the square. Details on the event page: More info [translation required].

Bansko Without Makeup Exhibition
Draginka Georgieva is showcasing her embroidery exhibition in Bansko. Saturday (7th) 11am to 7pm, Sunday (8th) 10am to 2pm, Monday (9th) 9am to 6pm, and Tuesday (10th) 9am to 6pm: at the Tourist Information Center in Bansko.

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Weather Forecast

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