Four countries, two nights, one square

In this week’s Buzz:

• Individuals fined for swimming in river inside national park

• New music festival comes to town: In the Heart of the Balkans

• Water prices set to increase despite Bansko voting against

• Red angel activated twice to rescue people in the Pirin Mountains

• Speak Bulgarian Social Club every Thursday throughout August

• Master blacksmiths create charitable sculpture at Bansko Jazz Festival

• Why several businesses have had their posts removed from the group this week

New two-night festival brings contemporary pop and traditional ethno sounds from four Balkan countries this coming weekend

This coming weekend, Friday (14th) and Saturday (15th) evenings, a new music festival comes to Bansko. In the Heart of the Balkans brings contemporary and traditional sounds of the Balkans through two themed festival nights, featuring artists from Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Croatia.

Friday is an evening of contemporary Balkan music and pop.

Kerana & The Cosmonauts from Bulgaria are renowned for explosive live performances and their fusion of pop, rock, funk & soul (listen to their music here).

Moonlight Breakfast from Romania are a duo blending electronic music, jazz, soul & modern pop, and have performed at some of Europe's most prestigious festivals (listen to their music here).

Saturday evening will take you on a journey to the roots of Balkan music.

Gidiki from Greece are one of the country's most celebrated ethno bands. Their live performances breathe new life into traditional Greek music (listen to their music here).

Balkalar from Croatia weave together the rich traditions of the Balkans, creating a unique and unforgettable experience (listen to their music here).

On both nights, the event starts at 8pm in the main square. This is a free event.

This event is organised by the Bansko Municipality and Hypeteam. The latter helps organise and manage BSD’s summer sports day event each year. If you’ve rested under the gazebos or had some food/drinks, then that’s them.

No shortcuts. Just great-tasting food.

Join us for unforgettable flavours on our outdoor terrace on warm summer evenings. A glass of wine and some homemade pasta make for a wonderful night out.

All of our dishes are homemade, from the bread to the bisque to the desserts: packed full of flavour and an unforgettable experience. Su Casa Bistro, where our home is your home.

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 109 New Posts, 💬 516 Comments, 👍️ 2,888 Reactions

Can anyone recommend a masseuse in Bansko?
Kevin wanted to know if anyone had the contact details for a masseuse in the local area that people would recommend.

Some people were fined for swimming in the river
Yetti saw three people being fined for bathing in the infinity pool on the river. Apparently, the park rangers said they’d used a drone to detect people swimming and visited to issue fines.

I couldn’t find a quiet apartment in Bansko, so I need to leave
After moving into an apartment at an aparthotel in town, Sally thought she was all set. However, a few days after she moved in, so did a load of school-aged children (who were quite noisy).

Where can I park for free in town?
It’s Friday evening and Emily has arrived in town. She doesn’t know where to park (paid & free places) and asked the community for help. See the suggestions.

Bansko Street Dogs looking for pallets
Sarah posted that BSD is looking for wooden pallets. (These are usually upcycled to create something for the dogs.) If you have any, then please reach out.

Bansko & Beyond

Summer school of friendship programme comes to an end
The local municipality’s summer programme for children has concluded after two months of activities. The programme was designed to bring young people together and away from phones and tablets, to experience life and culture through a variety of activities (from mountain hikes to model aircraft building). Drawings created during the programme will be displayed Tuesday 11th to Friday 14th August in the foyer of the community center. Read more.

Bansko votes against business plan of regional water company
Bansko and Razlog municipalities have both voted against the regional water company’s business plan (budget) for the next few years. The plan includes price increases, but Bansko’s representative (the mayor) didn’t see justification for such increases. He also noted that Bansko Municipality has paid for most infrastructure improvements in recent years. The budget passed with ~75% of votes in favour. Read more.

Alleged anti-Semitic chants outside Bansko hotel
This week, Italian media reported that some young people had shouted abusive (anti-Semitic) comments at visiting Italian students. There are multiple media reports, but none that agree on the details. Some speculated that the abuse came from ~150€ not being paid for marijuana delivered (unverified). Other sources stated that the Italian students had caused damage to the hotel they were staying at and had been loud & disruptive/anti-social during their stay (unverified). The Ministry of the Interior is still investigating the situation. Bansko’s mayor issued a statement here.

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

• Red angel activated twice to rescue people in Pirin Mountains [Translation required]

• For second year in a row, master blacksmiths create charitable sculpture at Bansko Jazz Festival [Translation required]

• Social benefits in Bulgaria can now be sent to Revolut accounts

• Lev disappears from mandatory pricing labels

• How Plovdiv is becoming Bulgaria’s tennis capital

• Drone explodes in Bulgarian airspace

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Events Next Week

Bansko Street Dogs’ Pub Quiz
Tomorrow (Monday 10th), starting at 7.30pm, Pilay Fried Chicken hosts BSD’s pub quiz night. Always a fun evening and it’s a new venue(ish) for the quiz. Entry is 5€ per person. More info.

Exhibitions at The Tourist Information Center
These run most days from 9am to 12noon and 1pm to 6pm at the Tourist Information Center (near the old tree). Feast for the Soul abstract paintings exhibition (by Mariana Stefanova) continues on Monday and Tuesday. Then, from Friday (14th) to Tuesday 18th, Donna Atanasova exhibits her paintings (Soul).

Playing The Banjo Evening
On Wednesday (12th) starting at 8pm, join Emi at Sky High Kitchen as she passionately explores the magical sounds of the banjo and transports listeners to the rolling hills of Appalachia. Entrance is 10€ and includes one drink. (The previous event was cancelled.) More info.

Speak Bulgarian Social Club
On Thursday (13th), starting at 6.30pm, Anita’s Art Studio is having a Speak Bulgarian Social Club meetup. This will happen every Thursday in August and is for individuals who want to practice their Bulgarian. More info.

Demonstration of Local Trade & Handcrafts
Outside the Tourist Information Center between 5pm and 7pm are demonstrations of wood carving (Friday) and making artistic dolls (Saturday). Live folk music between 6pm and 6.30pm on Saturday only (see the singers perform here).

Main Event: In the Heart of the Balkans
On Friday (14th) and Saturday (15th) at 8pm on the main stage in the town square. A music festival that combines the contemporary and traditional sounds of the Balkans. The event is free. More info. [Translation required.]

Regular Weekly Events in Summer

Check with individual organisers/venues as event details may change.

• Mondays: Group fitness; Bear Functional Training at 8am

• Tuesdays: Run Club (5km); 6.30pm at Altspace (Central)

• Tuesdays: Chess club; 7.30pm at Dobrinishte Chess Club

• Wednesdays: no recommended events on this day

• Thursdays: Speak Bulgarian Social Club; Anita’s Art Studio at 6.30pm (new)

• Thursdays: Pool competition; Tipsy 360 at 7pm

• Thursdays: Live music; ZZ Land Play Cafe from 7pm

• Fridays: Beers at Altspace (Summit); 6pm to 8pm (BYOB)

• Fridays: Latin dance party; DiVino from 9.30pm

• Fridays: Karaoke at Tipsy 360; 8pm to 11pm

• Saturdays: BSD’s Saturday Sale; 10am to 2pm

• Saturdays: Board games night at Treehouse Social; 7pm

• Saturdays: BBQ Evenings; Kempinski Hotel, 7pm to 10pm

• Sundays: Free walking tour; under the old tree at 11am

• Sundays: Cornhole competition; Pivoteka at 4pm

Planning Further Ahead?

Here is a list of events/festivals coming up over the next few weeks.

• 20 to 23 August: Summer Biathlon Cup. More info. [Cyrillic]

• 21 & 22 August: “Feel” Bansko (sensory tour). More info. [Cyrillic]

• 21 & 22 August: Chamber Opera and Big Band Blagoevgrad.

• 27, 28 & 29 August: Bansko Opera Fest. More info.

• 28 & 29 August: Bansko Pickleball Tournament. More info. [Cyrillic]

• 28, 29 & 30 August: National Folklore Festival (Banya). More info.

• 29 August: Magazine 8 Live. More info. [Cyrillic]

• 5, 6 & 7 September: Unique Bansko (culinary festival). More info. [Cyrillic]

• 10 to 13 September: Pirin Ultra (running competition). More info. [Cyrillic]

• 19 September: Chess Festival (Dobrinishte). More info. [Cyrillic]

Organising an event in or around Bansko? Submit it for consideration here.

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