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- Jazz, Funk & Soul on the Streets of Bansko
In this week’s Buzz:
Bansko Jazz Festival grows bigger this year
Anyone know a hiking guide in Bansko?
Kukeri come alive in virtual reality
Legislation progresses to reduce speed limit on highways
School for Hope screening (with English subtitles)
The return of 360: a new bar coming to town
The Jazz Festival Returns With Music From Around The World and Late-night Jam Sessions
Photo by Bansko Municipality
This week, the programme for the Jazz Festival in August was confirmed.
Returning for its 28th time, the Bansko Jazz Festival is a 10-day jazz musical extravaganza across three main stages.
In Bansko from 1st to 10th of August, world-class jazz stars from the USA, Japan, Canada, France, Sweden, and Bulgaria will perform for audiences both during the day and in the evening.
The festival combines classic jazz with diverse styles such as swing, funk, ethno, soul and free improvisations. The event has established itself as a platform for cultural dialogue between generations and genres.
The programme includes evening concerts on the main stage, daytime music events, artistic meetings, new locations, and traditional jam sessions until late at night. This festival is seen as a unique musical and tourist experience.
A detailed programme in English has yet to be published, but a machine-translated one is available here. (You can visit the festival’s website here.)
Five M — Savour Every Bite, Cherish Every Moment
At Five M, every dish is a masterpiece, from delicious appetizers to exquisite main courses and desserts. Everything is created to bring you delight and unforgettable moments.
See our new menu here.
Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group
✍️ 52 New Posts, 💬 209 Comments, 👍️ 932 Reactions
Does Anyone Know a Hiking Guide in Bansko?
Ian asked whether anyone knows a hiking guide to go on a 3-day (2 nights) walking tour around the Pirin Mountains in June. Some people had some suggestions.
I Need To Go To Customs in Sofia. What Do I Need To Take?
Jay needs to go and collect some items he’s ordered from the customs office in Sofia: they came from China, and it looks like he’ll need to settle some duties and taxes. Find out what advice people gave him, whether he’s best to go with a Bulgarian speaker, and if he needs an EORI number.
I’ve Created a Petition And Hope The Municipality Does Something
Milkana posted a petition for the local municipality to take action against local shepherd dogs that are allowed to roam free near Belizmata Dam. She created this after some of these shepherd dogs attacked her dog and he didn’t survive his injuries.
Anyone Know a Long-Term Car Rental Place That Is Reasonably Priced?
Pia posted asking if anyone knew a rental car company that is cheaper than Top Rent a Car. They quoted her €800 per month for July, August and September. Find out what suggestions people had.
(The above posts are publicly accessible. You don’t need a Facebook account to view them.)
Local/Municipality News
Bansko Mayor Asks That Children With Scooters Act Responsibly
The local mayor of Bansko has reminded parents and guardians of the law on scooters and their use by children after a number of accidents/incidents involving young people and scooters in town. Read more.
Kukeri Come Alive in Virtual Reality
More than eighty people dressed in Kuker costumes and performed traditional dances filmed on state-of-the-art video equipment by local secondary school pupils trained in videography. The footage will be developed into a virtual reality setting and available for people to view at the Historical Museum in Razlog. Read more.
Legislation To Lower Speed Limit on Highways Progressing
Six pieces of draft legislation have been put before the Parliamentary Transport Committee. Two include reducing the highway speed limit from 140kph to 130kph and authorising toll cameras' use (and prosecution) to track drivers' average speed on highways and major roads. Read more.
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Events Next Week
St. George’s Day Celebrations
In Bulgaria, St. George’s Day is celebrated on Tuesday, the 6th of May. Celebrations in the Bansko municipality take place in Dobrinishte in the main square on the evening of Monday 5th and on the morning of Tuesday 6th. Tuesday will be a public holiday. More info.
School For Hope Film Screening
On Friday (9th) at 6pm there will a screening of the film School for Hope (with English subtitles). The film follows a “unique” boarding school in rural Bulgaria where they take in a homeless 7-year-old child and face a number of challenges. More info. [scroll down for English.]
Friday Events For Coworkers/Nomads
Now that we’re into sunny evenings again in town, two main events occur on a Friday for coworkers and nomads (as well as everybody else). Altspace’s Friday Beers (here) from 6pm to 8pm (BYOB), and Coliving Bansko’s Friday mixer (here) from 8pm (drinks available to purchase at the bar). Both are worth going to if you want to meet people and have a few conversations.
Vintage Car Show in Razlog
On Saturday (10th), there will be a vintage car show in Razlog from 3.30pm. This is Razlog's 12th annual retro car parade and will feature over 150 retro cars. More info.
Sustainable Development of the Rilo-Pirin Tourist Region
On Thursday 15th of May, from 10am to 3pm, the local municipality will be running a sustainable development project for good data management in tourism at the Tourist Information Center in town (by the big tree). Registration is required by EOD on the 12th of May. More info. [Translation required.]
Spring Salsa & Bachata Friends Weekend
From Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th of May, there will be a salsa and bachata weekend at Saint George Palace Aparthotel in Bansko. Two instructors from Greece will help individuals improve their technique, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced. More info. [Translation required.]
Photo of the Week
A wander around Bansko on Saturday morning: sunny days are officially here.
Photo by Mark Harrod
Tag @banskobuzz to get your photo in the Buzz.
Before You Go…
New bar coming to town: Well, I thought I’d get some insider information to you before the announcement went out, but it looks like Kris Kuhn decided to jump ahead and announce it yesterday, here 😂
He’s going to be opening a bar! And, of course, I have insight into what it’s going to be like 💪. If you had been in Bansko over the last few years, you might have known Hub 360, just off Pirin Street at the back of the old Subway. A great bar with an outdoor area, good deals on drinks (and food), and cheesy music. This new bar will be in the same location (here).
Here’s what it might look like:
Open most days from mid-afternoon until around midnight(ish)
A bar food menu with food from Casa di Papi (just upstairs)
Drink deals and cheesy music all day long
Events and mini-festivals
A place for locals and those who call Bansko their home for a few days, weeks or months at a time
What’s it going to be called? That’s an interesting one. Kris has a few ideas and will be putting a poll out for people to choose from, but my current favourite is Tipsy 360: it links in with its previous name of Hub360, but of course, that could all change.
When will it open? The aim is to have a party on the 4th of July (Independence Day in the US), but who knows. It could open a little earlier or a lot later than that.
—
Nick
Publisher, Bansko Buzz
