Bulgaria Just Won Eurovision

In this week’s Buzz:

• Bansko summer events programme published

• First win for Bulgaria at the Eurovision Song Contest

• Painting and wine night with Omaya Studio

• New eco trail in Banya with giant wooden troll “guardians”

• Is this an outdoor market or something else?

• Man attacked by two bears on Vitosha Mountain (near Sofia)

A Kukeri-inspired performance stuns Europe at Eurovision’s 70th anniversary

Last night was the annual Eurovision song contest in Vienna, celebrating its 70th edition.

Bulgaria wasn’t seen as a favourite, and many dismissed the country’s song as just another “entry”, but a choreography inspired by the Kukeri saw the Bulgarian entry rocket to first place.

It’s the first time since the competition started in 1956 that Bulgaria has claimed the top spot, and astonishingly, the closest contender was 173 points behind in second place (in some years it’s close, usually only 10-15 points). This winning margin was the highest in the contest’s history, too.

The song, Bangaranga, comes from a Jamaican term meaning “riot” or “uproar”, with Dara (the singer and one of the song’s writers) believing it communicates joyful chaos and liberation, a “beautiful kind of disorder”: being your own Bangaranga, true to yourself as an individual. Dara describes the song as “pop music with folklore bones”, wearing a costume inspired by the Kukeri, and many see the song as having K-pop vibes mixed with Balkan energy.

Clearly, Bulgarians are celebrating today after their first-ever win at Eurovision: congratulations! The song is definitely a little quirky, but I can see how it won: quirkiness and elements of tradition is something Eurovision audiences like a lot.

See the winning entry on YouTube here and DARA speaking about the inspiration for the song here.

I guess a few people will be venturing from Bansko to the event in Sofia next year, where the UK (hopefully) will get more than 1 point and not finish in last place 😂 

Get Your Ticket for Bansko Nomad Fest

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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!

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 72 New Posts, 💬 126 Comments, 👍️ 921 Reactions

Are There Any Doctors Outside of Ski Season?
Dunia is moving to Bansko and wanted to know whether there are any doctors in the town outside of the winter season. See what people had to say.

Is This An Outdoor Market or Something Else?
John shared some photos of a metal construction on a piece of land on the ring road, asking if anyone knew what it was. There were various opinions.

Summer Events Programme Published
I (Nick) shared the official summer events programme for Bansko (published by the local municipality). Some events have moved about a bit, so it’s worth taking a look.

Looking for Recommendations for Some Blinds/Curtains
Sheryn wants to add blinds or curtains to her apartment and is looking for recommendations for a local service to measure, make, and fit them.

Bansko & Beyond

New forest eco-trail in Banya with giant wooden trolls
A new eco trail in Banya has been built, featuring giant wooden trolls: some can be spotted from afar, while others need to be discovered up close. They’re being called the “guardians of the eco-trail”. The forest trail is part of Pulse Therme’s Fun & Sports Park, expanding its offerings and choices for children. Read more. [Translation required; their English version of the page isn’t worth reading].

Medals & podium finishes for gymnasts from Bansko
A handful of individuals from Bansko’s gymnastics sports club took part in the Diliana Prima international tournament in Pazardzhik. A number of them won gold, silver and bronze medals. Interesting to see young people from Bansko competing and winning in competitions beyond skiing or Taekwondo! Read more.

Hundreds of people run in support of a charity
Yesterday, hundreds of people took part in the local Rotary Club’s 3km charity run in Bansko. People of all ages, some with teams and others running on their own, came together to raise money for children and young people at risk who need a helping hand in life (through education, training or qualifications). Read more.

Firefighters demonstrate rescue missions and putting out fires
Full-time and volunteer firefighters showed schoolchildren in Bansko the types of rescue missions they might take part in when called out to an emergency and how they put out fires with extinguishers and fire hoses. Read more.

Lift in Dorinishte is under maintenance for one month
The lift to Bezbog Hut in Dobrinishte is now out of action for its annual maintenance. The charlift will open again on the 11th of June for the summer. Read more.

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

• Man attacked by two bears in Vitosha Nature Park [Translation required]

• Classes of 2026 graduate in Bansko

• Police arrest and charge man in connection with a stolen car last week [Translation required]

• European Commission proposes seamless travel across Europe

• Bulgarian inflation hits 6.8% as food and transport costs surge

• Funding secured for Sofia Airport Terminal 3. Work is expected to start later this year.

Altspace: Your Mountain Town Plug-in

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Events Next Week

Bansko Run Club(ish)
On Tuesday (19th), meeting at 6pm at Altspace central location on Gotse Delchev Street. Have a run with others around town, covering a distance of 5km, and finishing up at Pivoteka for a beer or two.

Painting and Wine with Omaya Studio
On Friday (22nd) at 6.30pm at Harmoniya in Razlog, join the team from Omaya Studio for an evening of painting and wine. No experience necessary to learn how spring comes alive on the canvas. Price is 33€. More info.

Altspace Friday Beers
An evening with nomads, visitors and locals at Altspace’s Friday beers event. Come as strangers, leave as friends. From 6pm to 8pm at their location on Gotse Delchev Street. (Non-members BYOB.)

Saturday 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.

Save The Date: Nomad Fringe Festival
On Wednesday 24th of June and Thursday 25th of June, the yearly Nomad Fringe Festival is at Altspace Coworking (Summit location). On both days, the event starts at 6.30pm. The event is free, and you don’t need to be a nomad to attend. I went last year, and some of the talks were really good. Worth going if you can. More info.

Save The Date: Summer Sports Day by BSD
The annual summer sports day by Bansko Street Dogs will take place on Saturday 25th of July. The details on timings and location are still being finalised, but it will probably be registration around 2/3pm on the ski road. Definitely a fun day for everyone!

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).

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Photo of the Week

Spring taking the baton from a snowy Winter.

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