Second gondola: green light or hopium?

In this week’s Buzz:

• It’s Friday evening, can I see a medical doctor in Bansko?

• Is a second gondola coming to Bansko or is it all just hopium?

• Four people injured in head-on collision just outside Bansko town

• Bansko for You raises over 6,000 euros at Bansko Jazz Festival

• Many different exhibitions and cultural demonstrations in town this week

• HEMS helicopter unable to land and rescue hiker in ​​Yalovarnika Peak area

• 35 tons of unfit food seized by Bulgarian Food Safety Agency

• Bansko Jazz Festival continues the whole week (ends Sunday 9th)

Hopium in the media: could Forestry Act changes really bring a second gondola to Bansko?

You may have seen this article [Translation required] being shared on social media with the assertion “second gondola given green light” in Bansko.

The article reports that the Bulgarian Government will make changes to the Forestry Act to “strip away the decades-long bureaucratic gridlock” in all of the winter resorts in Bulgaria.

Apparently, “lots” of people want a second gondola in Bansko.

No doubt driven by the concessionaire (Yulen) running the ski resort and by hopes of boosting winter tourist numbers. Understandable if you own a business in Bansko (or work for one) that relies on tourists coming to the town.

We all want to see Bansko prosper, but is there really a need for a second gondola?

The argument many use is that there are constant 3+ hour queues during the busy weeks in ski season (mostly in February during school holidays). It must be frustrating to wait all of that time queuing, especially for those who can’t visit outside of peak weeks.

Is a second gondola going to happen though?

Doubtful.

Even if the proposed changes are made to the Forestry Act, things could be blocked by the high court like last time. It’ll most likely be blocked due to a second gondola’s negative impact on the environment, the area being a UNESCO site, or the fact that (some believe) the act doesn’t cover the Pirin National Park anyway.

Over the last few years, Bansko's mayor (and the municipality) have pushed to grow the summer season, which is a sensible hedge as climate pressures make winter-only resorts look increasingly risky. The town has now become a two-season resort: winter and summer.

In my opinion, the changes to the act will be made, but a second gondola won’t come to Bansko. I believe it will be blocked on environmental grounds. Although I could be wrong.

It will be interesting to see how things develop.

Su Casa Bistro: Join us During Jazz Fest

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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 it feels like home.

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 94 New Posts, 💬 276 Comments, 👍️ 1,237 Reactions

Availability to see a doctor at short notice on a Friday evening
Medical issues always seem to come when you least expect them. Neil posted on Friday evening wondering if anyone knew of a doctor that was available the same night.

Does anyone know what’s happening with 4 Directions?
The restaurant has been closed since the end of the winter season (not opening for summer), and Kelly wanted to know if anyone knew the reason why.

We had a fabulous meal at this place the other night
Roger and his wife visited a local restaurant in town (Vodenitsata). They loved the layout of the place and everything they ate there was delicious. See what others thought.

Where can I find a local place to cold plunge in a river or a lake?
Lex wants to head to a cold plunge while he’s in Bansko (not surprised, it’s been kinda 🥵 lately) and wondered where there was one. Some people commented on the location(s) while others pointed out that entering a river or lake in national park areas isn’t allowed and you might be fined.

Bansko & Beyond

Four people injured in head-on collision on entrance to Bansko town
This week, a head-on collision involving two cars happened on the entrance to the town (on the main road). Four people were injured and taken to hospital. It transpires that the driver who caused the collision (a Greek national) said she was tired and fell asleep at the wheel. A good reminder for all of us to ensure we’re well rested before getting behind the wheel. Read more. [Translation required].

New blue zone (paid parking) introduced
A new blue zone (where people pay to park) has been introduced in town. This is on the street that Banski Han, Econt and Speedy sit on in the lower end of town and was introduced last week. Read more. [Translation required].

“Thousands” of fans gathered for the Rock Fest
Last week, the Bansko Rock Fest took place: 10 rock bands playing over five nights. Many hundreds gathered over the week to watch the bands perform. Read more (and look through some photos).

Three men arrested in Bansko for kidnapping woman and two children
This week, the local police in Bansko arrested three men who had allegedly kidnapped a woman and her two children. The kidnapping incident happened in Blagoevgrad and the individuals were arrested in Bansko. The woman and her children are back with family. Read more. [Translation required].

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

• Emergency air ambulance unable to land & rescue injured hiker [Translation required]

• Local charity Bansko for You raises over 6,000 euros at Bansko Jazz Fest

• Price increases on cigarettes, vignette (30%), and social security contributions

• 35 tons of unfit food seized by Bulgarian Food Safety Agency

• European Union pays out nearly 900 million euros to Bulgaria under NextGenerationEU

• Gas prices set to increase by nearly 5% in August

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Events Next Week

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). The Way of the Heart energy paintings exhibition (by Sashka Rupchina) continues on Monday and Tuesday. Then, from Friday (7th) to Tuesday 11th, Mariana Stefanova exhibits her abstract paintings, Feast for the Soul.

Hidden Worlds Photography Exhibition in the park
This takes place every day this week from 5pm to 10pm in the town’s park. This exhibition presents different stories, places, emotions, and perspectives captured through photography. More info.

Group Exhibition by Creative Bansko
Every day this week from 9am to 9pm at Nikola Vaptsarov Interactive Museum (here), local artists will display “…a variety of styles, techniques and ideas, united by a shared love of art and our desire to develop an active creative community.” Entrance is free.

Main Event: Bansko Jazz Festival
Continuing every day this week, with young talents in the park at 11am. Evening performances start at 7pm on the world stage (town park) and from 8pm on the main stage (town square). The event is free to attend. Jam sessions are from midnight at Ginger. See the programme here.

Demonstration of Local Trade & Handcrafts
Outside the Tourist Information Center every day during jazz week between 5pm and 7pm, including wood carving, crochet, a pottery demonstration, and authentic Bansko cuisine.

Live Acoustic Music with Lizard
On Thursday (6th), starting at 6pm, join Iliyan Lizard for live acoustic music at New Coffee World on Gotse Delchev Street. More info.

Violin and Piano Recital
On Saturday (8th) at 11am at Spa Hotel Ruskovets in Dobrinishte, join Marina & Nicolai for some music from Bach, Schumann, Dvorak, and Chopin. More info.

The Bansko Solidarity Academy event has been cancelled.

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: 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.

• 12 August: Playing the Banjo evening. More info.

• 14 & 15 August: In the Heart of the Balkans (folklore festival) More info. [Cyrillic]

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

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

Inside The Beehive🍯 

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Photo of the Week

Jazz takes over the whole town this week.

Follow @banskobuzz on Instagram.

Before You Go…