Jazz Academy Hits The Right Notes

TOGETHER WITH

In this week’s Buzz:

• Someone stole the seats off our bikes!

• A summary of the Bansko Jazz Academy

• A 70-year-old Bansko man was arrested for animal cruelty

• New fines, rules and restrictions for drivers in Bulgaria

• Pivoteka’s third birthday party is coming up this week

• Is Bansko busy this year for the Jazz Fest?

Young musicians train and perform
as part of this year’s Jazz Fest

The Bansko Jazz Festival started this week with hundreds of musicians coming to town, both very experienced and those looking to learn and craft their skills.

The Brass Band Association, in partnership with the Bansko Jazz Fest, has set up the Bansko Jazz Academy: a place where young people can take part in a nine-day intensive programme to improve their performance on stage, technique, and improve their overall skills. The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture, which aims to support the development of the next generation of jazz musicians in Bulgaria.

In addition to young talents on stage in the park at 11am every day, there are spots around town where young people are performing after having tuition from more experienced musicians.

The goal of the academy is to help these individuals develop their technical and interpretive skills and to encourage creativity and artistic individuality. On the final weekend, there will be a gala concert that will be recorded by Jazz FM radio. Read more (and see photos).

Explore Bansko Chalets

Book your chalet in Bansko. We have three great chalets located in the centre of town (Snow Pine, River Pine & Ginchini). Visit our website to check availability and create your own package tailored to your requirements and budget.

Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 134 New Posts, 💬 353 Comments, 👍️ 1,338 Reactions

Does Anyone Know Where I Can Buy Horseradish Sauce in Town?
Sarah posted that she’d looked in a few locations for horseradish sauce and couldn’t find it. See where people suggested and where she ended up buying from.

Someone Stole Our Bicycle Seats!
Josefine posted photos of her bikes without seats: it looks like someone had stolen them. She wanted to know why someone would do this in Bansko and where she could find replacements. See what people said.

Where Can I Get My Car Aircon Topped Up?
Jamie wants to get the A/C in his car checked and topped up, and asked if anyone knew of a place locally. Some people had some suggestions.

What’s The Deal With The Parking Up At St John’s Hill Now?
Jason has seen the recent changes with painted lines and signs indicating that parking is paid up at St John’s Hill (up past St Ivan Rilski). See what advice people had to offer about parking up there.

(The above posts are publicly accessible. You don’t need a Facebook account to view them.)

Local/Municipality News

Fire in Kresna/Sandanski Brings More Smoke to Bansko 
The big fire in the Kresna/Sandanski area grew in size over the last week. Many people believed that the rains in Bansko had put the fire out (because the smoke disappeared). However, there wasn’t smoke in Bansko because the winds had changed direction and moved the fire south towards two villages. Read about it here and here. The rains mostly extinguished the fire. The potential cause of this large fire has been linked to power lines igniting dry ground and grass, and it’s estimated that the re-growth of the burned forest area could take up to 50 years.

Local Man Arrested for Animal Cruelty
This week, a local 70-year-old man took his dog for a walk by tying him to the back of a car, and he ended up dragging the dog along behind him. He was arrested, and a vet checked the dog, but apparently, the dog supposedly taken to the vet wasn’t the same dog as in the video. Read more. A journalist is now investigating the incident. Read more. Interestingly, the penalties for animal cruelty have recently increased. Read more [Translation required.]

New Fines, Rules and Restrictions for Drivers in Bulgaria
Recent changes have been made to driver legislation in Bulgaria that have resulted in some fines being doubled and stricter rules imposed for their non-payment. Some speeding fines have been doubled. Non-payment of speeding fines means that, in addition to the car not being allowed to leave the country, you won’t be able to MOT it unless these fines are paid. One of the bigger things is refusing an intoxication test by the police (for alcohol or drugs) could result in being sent to prison for one year. Read more [Translation required.]

Free Pickleball Training in August
During August, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 10am, there will be free pickleball training. This takes place at the PLTG tennis courts and is for anyone aged 12 to 82 who has a reasonable level of fitness. Read more.

Recommended Businesses

Shop on Amazon & get packages delivered to Bansko with GGBG. Regular transport from the UK, Germany and the USA to Bulgaria. See website for info.

Travelling out of your home country this year? Get travel insurance designed by travellers. True Traveller: one policy to cover all of your activities. Learn more.

Airport transfers from Sofia to Bansko with Traventuria. The licensed & fully insured company you can trust. Book your transfer.

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

Events Next Week

Bansko Jazz Festival (Main Event)
The jazz fest continues every day until next Sunday and is one of the most popular events of the year. The event is free to attend, but if you want to be seated to watch the performances, then you’ll need to buy a ticket here [switch to English at the bottom]. See the full daily programme here.

Pivoteka’s 3rd Birthday Party
On Friday (8th) from 7pm, Pivoteka Craft Beershop is celebrating its third birthday. You’ll receive a complimentary glass of prosecco on arrival, and they will have their usual selection of refreshments on offer. A great place to get a drink, help them celebrate, and listen to the Jazz Fest. More info.

Demonstration of Local Trade & Handcrafts
Outside the Tourist Information Center between 5pm and 7pm every day this week during the Jazz Festival are demonstrations by local trades and crafts continue. These will be: wood carving (Mon), Bulgarian embroidery (Tues), pottery demonstration (Weds), wood carving (Thurs), Crochet (Fri), and Bulgarian embroidery (Sat). Live folk music between 6pm and 6.30pm on Saturday only: see the singers here).

Summer Moods Abstract Painting Exhibition
Mariana Stefanova brings her Summer Moods abstract painting exhibition to town this week. This should take place on Saturday (9th) 11am to 7pm, Sunday (10th) 10am to 2pm, Monday (11th) 9am to 6pm, and Tuesday (12th) 9am to 6pm: at the Tourist Information Center in Bansko.

Todorka Vertical Registration
If you love to run up the mountain and want a bit of a challenge, then registration for the Todorka Vertical has been extended until Tuesday (it takes place on August 9th, at 9am, starting at Banderitsa Polyana). This is a multi-age category with different run lengths. More info. FB event details here.

Balkan Evening with Tsvetelina Graphics (Razlog)
On Saturday (9th), starting at 8pm in the main square in Razlog, is a Balkan evening with Tsvetelina Graphics. The organisers say that this is “…a concert full of Balkan rhythms, emotions, dances, cold drinks await you – a real summer holiday under the open air!”

Other smaller events may also be on this week. See the events tab in the BNB Facebook group here.

Photo of the Week

Gazing at the night’s sky from Zabat Peak.

Tag @banskobuzz to get your photo in the Buzz.