Bansko Continues Investing in Children and Families

In this week’s Buzz:

• Replacing a Bulgarian driving license at KAT

• Summer programme of events & cultural activities agreed

• Municipality warns businesses they need to recycle waste too

• Retro car parade in Razlog this coming weekend

• Beehive: some news stories that didn’t make the last two issues of the Buzz

• Mountain bike trailbuilding seminar with White Lavina

Municipality backs spaces for children, fitness, and outdoor activities

This week, the Bansko Municipal Council met to vote on several budget items to support children and young people in the local community.

Among the items were a new playground in the town’s main park, as well as a sports ground and street fitness area on the West side of the Glazne River (to be named Glazne Park) and a playground on that same side of the river.

These projects are expected to be completed by the summer, but as with any project in the local area, there might be delays and things may overrun. The cycle and footpath that wraps around the town (following the main ring road) is nearing completion. This is one part of Bansko's overall improvement project to attract tourists and visitors to the resort outside the ski season.

I think these types of projects are a good idea. They improve the town and offer a wide range of different activities for children (whether they live here or are visiting as tourists). However, I do feel that more focus is needed on young adults (ages 14 to 18). Younger children seem to be well cared for in recent projects, but many young adults lack facilities and tend to hang out at sports courts chatting and drinking in the evenings. It’ll be interesting to see if there’s a community effort for this age range.

Bansko Nomad Fest

Want to come to the Bansko Nomad Fest but don’t have a ticket yet?

Attend the 7-day conference and all of the social experiences during the week with a silver ticket for €375 (€25 off when you use the code BUZZ at checkout).

Enjoy interesting conference sessions, networking events, community-led skill shares, and social events with fellow nomads & entrepreneurs at one of the most popular nomad events of the year!

👉️ BUY YOUR TICKET
(Use the code BUZZ for €25 OFF)

Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 65 New Posts, 💬 163 Comments, 👍️ 780 Reactions

Here Is a Great Organic Shop
Debbie posted that she’d been to an organic shop in the bottom end of town (Experimental Rainbow Station 12) and wanted to recommend it.

Anyone Recently Replaced Their Driving License at KAT in Blagoevgrad?
Violeta needed to replace her driving license at the local traffic police office and wondered if anyone had done it recently (and what documents were required). See what people said and read about her experience.

I’m Looking for a Carpenter. Anyone Know a Decent One?
Conor asked whether anyone knew a local carpenter to build some units for his kitchen. See who people suggested.

Is There Anywhere Open for Breakfast At The Moment?
Peter is back in town for the weekend and wondered if there was anywhere open for breakfast now that we’re in the quiet season. See the places people suggested.

Bansko & Beyond

A guide to recycling household waste in Bansko
The local municipality has put together a guide for residents and tourists on what items can be recycled and how to dispose of them, from the usual paper, plastic, and glass to other, more hazardous or bulky materials. Read more.

Summer programme of events agreed for Bansko
A local meeting of the municipality in Bansko has agreed on the summer programme of events & cultural activities. These events, of various kinds, aim to attract visitors from Bulgaria and abroad. Read more.

Municipality cracks down on waste recycling for businesses
The local municipality has announced a crackdown on businesses that throw recyclable materials into general waste. Advising that, from June of this year, they will start issuing fines. I assumed the waste sorting facility in Razlog was for this, but apparently not 🤷 Read more [Translation required].

Bansko competitor becomes Taekwondo champion in Crete
Katrin Gemkova, competing for Hawk-Bansko Taekwondo Club, won a gold, a silver, and two bronze medals at the international Taekwondo competitions in Crete (Greece) recently. Other individuals participated from the club, but Katrin walked away with the medals. Read more [Translation required].

Upcoming holiday
This coming Wednesday (6th) will be St George’s Day in Bulgaria. It is a national holiday, so some offices/businesses may be closed or operate different opening hours.

Other news stories
Here are a handful of other news stories you may find interesting:

• Government launches an app for drivers to check their own average speed 🙄 [Translation required]

• “Shop for the people” project closed amid corruption accusations

• Tourism numbers down in March year-on-year by over 16%

• Parliament formed after Bulgarian election. Read what each party is about.

• Driver from Sofia arrested for drink driving in Bansko [Translation required]

Summer Coworking at Altspace

Continue the great vibes and connections after attending Nomad Fest. If you want to join a community and coworking space that offers the right work-life balance over the summer months, then reserve your spot now (before they all fill up!).

We’re not just a coworking space: we’re your crew, your consistency, and your mountain town plug-in.

👉️ SIGN ME UP!

👉️ Want to see your ad in the newsletter?
View Advertising Opportunities

Events Next Week

St George’s Day celebrations in Dobrinishte
The local municipality will celebrate St George’s Day in Dobrinishte town on Wednesday (6th). A church service will start at 9am, followed by a festival in the square from 11am. More info [Translation required].

Mountain Bike Trailbuilding Seminar
On Saturday (9th) and Sunday (10th), join White Lavina for a two-day event to learn about the fundamentals of trail design and building, terrain selection and route planning, construction and maintenance techniques, and putting it all into practice. Participation is free. More info.

Board Game Nights
Every Saturday at the Treehouse Social Club on Zahari Stoyanov from 7pm, join other like-minded people who enjoy playing board games. Non-members’ price 5€. More info.

Retro Car Parade (Razlog)
On Saturday (9th) at 3.30pm, the 23rd annual retro car parade will take place in Razlog's main square. If you’re interested in seeing an impressive collection of classic cars from around the region, it’s one to go to. More info. [Translation required].

Celebrating Spring, Life and Inner Strength Together
On Sunday (10th) at 11am in the Pirin Golf area, there will be a workshop including yoga, Tibetan bowls, an astrology class, and a handpan class. More info. [Translation required].

Annual Charity Run by Local Rotary Club
On Saturday 16th of May, the local Razlog-Bansko Rotary Club will have their annual charity race to raise funds for a good cause. This year, it is for Operation Teddy Bear. This organisation supports young people who are considered at risk or deprived of parental care, helping them prepare for or qualify for work or university. Registration at 9.30am in front of the community center in Bansko. The run is 3km and the entrance fee is 5€. [Participants should be 18 years of age or over.] More info.

Inside The Beehive🍯 

A monthly membership where Nick shares stories, information, and insights that aren’t shared publicly. You also see things weeks or months before they’re published (whether in the newsletter or in the group).

👉️ READ ABOUT THE BEEHIVE

Photo of the Week

The fresh breeze of spring.

Follow @banskobuzz on Instagram.

Before You Go…