Shooting for Glory: Summer Biathlon in Bansko

Bansko's Busy Weekend:
Balkan Biathlon & Local Festivities

Biatheletes from nine blakan countires took part in the Balkan Biathilon Cup this weekend, which took place mainly around Banderishka Polyana (top of the gondola). If you’d been up that way over the weekend then you would’ve heard the whistles signaling participants to fire their rifles down the shooting range. Read more about it here [translation required].

It has been a busy weekend in Bansko, with Unification Day celebrations on Friday that included bagpipes and processions, Unique Bansko’s culinary festival, archaeologists from neighbouring countries visiting the ‘portal in time’ (see news section), and lots of people wandering up the mountain. Bansko’s last week of summer activities definitely went out with a bang! 😁 

Inside the BNB Group

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Is The Forest School Ekont Office Still Open?
Tony asked whether the Ekont office near Forest Hills School was still open as it has looked closed for some time, and he wanted to send a package by DHL. Find out what people had to say.

Restrictions on Animal Posts in the Group
The BNB is the most popular local English-speaking group in the local area, but there have been waaay too many dogs/cats/kittens/puppies posts over the last few months. See what’s changing.

What Was This New Sculpture on Gotse Delchev Street?
Johnny spotted a new big spoon erected on Gotse Delchev Street earlier in the week and wondered what it was. Find out more by looking in the comments.

Cover Photo Competition Winner
Maggie Stancheva won September’s cover photo competition for the Bansko Notice Board group. There were some really good entries, which can be found here.

Looking for a Well-Stocked Paint Shop in Bansko
Tomac asked about a locally well-stocked paint shop to source different paint colours. Find out what people suggested.

Local/Municipality News

Road to Vihren Hut
The road to Vihren Hut remains closed 8am-4pm (re-opens Monday 16th) with parking available here (about 1hr & 30m walk from Vihren Hut). The bus to Vihren Hut should continue to operate until 31st of October.

Narrow Gauge Railway Celebrates 60th Anniversary
The local Rhodope narrow gauge railway is celebrating its 60th birthday with a special train this Saturday (14th) from Dobrinishte to Yakoruda (leaving Dobrinishte at 10.25am). Once in Yakoruda, there will be a youth brass band procession and a concert. More info [translation required].

Archaeologists Visit ‘Portal in Time’
Archaeologists from Bulgaria and some neighbouring countries came to Bansko to visit the “Nameless City” as it is considered one of the “Holy Places in the Balkans”. More info.

“Let her go, Aunt Todorka” Wins Folklore Festival in Sandanski
Neli Mihailova represented Bansko when she participated in the Sandanski Pirin Folk Festival last week, winning first prize. What’s more is that 9-year-old Stephanie Milusheva won the children’s version the day previous and is also from Bansko. How good is that? 😁 More info.

Bansko Ski Club Wins Medals at Samokov Cup Race
Competitors from the new El Tepe Ski Club in Bansko won medals at the competition in Borovets. Members of the club won gold in the women’s 5km, bronze in the men’s 7.5km, and silver in both the junior boys & junior girls categories More info.

Bansko Charities

Three local charities do great work in Bansko and surrounding areas. Let’s support them: click/tap on their name below to donate.

Mountain Rescue Service
Made up mostly of volunteers, they’ll respond to a call 24/7, hiking to rescue someone no matter what the conditions.

Sunflower
They continuously support the four safety homes in Bansko, the dementia home in Mesta, and the Sdravetz Centre for people with special needs.

Bansko Street Dogs
Helping street dogs in Bansko and the surrounding areas through emergency care, neutering, flea & tick treatment, and kennels/feeding stations to keep streeties warm, dry and well-nourished.

Events Next Week

National Folklore Festival in Banya
This weekend (13th, 14th & 15th), a folklore festival will take place in Banya. Over 100 bands will perform over the weekend, with participants as young as 18 months and as old as 86 years of age taking part. More info.

Final Street Dogs Quiz Coming Up
The final Bansko Street Dogs Quiz takes place a week tomorrow (Monday 16th of September). It’ll be the last one before Chris (the quizmaster) departs town to go travelling for a while. Make sure to book in if you want to attend (location is TBC).

Bansko Without Makeup Exhibition Continues
Draginka Georgieva is showcasing her embroidery exhibition in Bansko. This continues on Monday (9th) 9am to 6pm and Tuesday (10th) 9am to 6pm at the Tourist Information Center in Bansko.

Charity Tennis Competition
This Saturday (14th) and Sunday (15th), the Bansko Open Tennis Championship brings together tennis players to battle it out for the trophy and raise money for a local charity (Bansko Street Dogs). It takes place at the tennis courts near Forest School on Ohrid Street. More info.

Forgotten Greatness Exhibition
An exhibition of graphics and sculptures will be showcased in Bansko: Saturday (14th) 11am to 7pm, Sunday (15th) 10am to 2pm, Monday (16th) 9am to 6pm, and Tuesday (17th) 9am to 6pm: at the Tourist Information Center in Bansko.

Include an Event
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Complete this form by 6pm on Friday.

Weather Forecast

The Meteo Blue weather app continues to give the most accurate forecast in Bansko. On Friday, it predicted the thunderstorm & rain would start at 3pm: it started at 2.56pm. Visit their website here.

Before You Go…

I’ve added audio to the online version of the newsletter.
Check it out and let me know what you think.

—
Nick
Publisher, Bansko Buzz