What about Bansko...
Bansko tucked beneath the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria. Bansko offers a distinctive blend of modern ski resort excitement and traditional heritage, attracting year-round visitors seeking both adventure and tranquility.
Its rich historical heritage is reflected in museums, churches, and, above all, Saint Trinity Church with its magnificent murals. Its roots can be traced back to the Thracians, and it flourished throughout the Bulgarian Renaissance.
Bansko is now one of the top ski destinations and offers a range of winter sports from December to April against the backdrop of the UNESCO-listed Pirin National Park. In addition to skiing, the warm months open up opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and golf in the midst of the fantastic mountain scenery.
The city balances tradition with modernity, where cobbled streets and traditional taverns mix with modern amenities. The Bansko Jazz Festival annually transforms the city into a cultural hotspot that showcases both local and international talent. Bansko is more than a holiday destination; it is a comprehensive experience where history, nature and adventure intertwine, making it a treasure for Bulgaria's tourism.
Why we are going to Bansko...
Boryana has a deep and multifaceted connection to the beautiful mountain town of Bansko. As a child, she grew up there with her mother and father, her father who was a blacksmith, which gave her a strong connection to the town´s crafts and cultural heritage. She played in the shadow of the majestic Pirin Mountains and breathed in the fresh mountain air.
Having spent her teenage years in the then Eastern Bloc's Sofia behind the Iron Curtain, Boryana gained a unique insight into what life could be like under the strict regime of communism. This upbringing shaped her longing for freedom, openness, and opportunity. When the Iron Curtain fell and Bulgaria opened up to the outside world, Boryana realized the potential of her hometown of Bansko. She saw how this gem of Pirin could flourish by combining its rich history and natural beauty with new outside influences and ideas.
With her innovative business partner Chris by her side, Boryana is now eager to return to Bansko and initiate unique collaborative projects. By integrating local traditions with modern, sustainable methods, Boryana wants to create innovative experiences that strengthen Bansko's identity as a cultural hub. She dreams of attracting both locals and tourists to experience the city's beauty in new, exciting ways while protecting the environment.
For Boryana, this is more than just business - it's an opportunity to honor its roots, unite East and West, and show how to drive successful development by respectfully mixing old and new. With her unique background and innovative power, she is determined to transform Bansko into a forerunner for sustainable tourism and local pride.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends and music lovers - Welcome to the Bansko Jazz Festival!
I'm really looking forward to the Bansko Jazz Festival, especially since they've booked Nils Landgren Funk Unit for this year's lineup!
Nils Landgren, born in 1956 in Degerfors, Sweden, is one of the country’s most prominent trombonists and vocalists in jazz, funk, and R&B. Known as "The Man with the Red Horn" for his signature red trombone, he has appeared on over 500 albums and collaborated with artists like ABBA, Herbie Hancock, and Wyclef Jean.
His band, Nils Landgren Funk Unit, was founded in 1992 and had its international breakthrough in 1994 at the Jazz Baltica Festival in Germany. With their high-energy blend of jazz, funk, and soul, the group has become an institution on the European music scene.
To have Nils Landgren Funk Unit performing at the Bansko Jazz Festival is not only exciting—it's a source of pride. As a Swede, I’m proud to see them represent our musical heritage on such a prestigious stage in the beautiful mountain town of Bansko, Bulgaria. They will perform on August 4th, and I’m sure it will be an unforgettable night!
And honestly… couldn’t they have brought along Eric Gadd as a guest? That would’ve been the ultimate Swedish funk dream team! But he’s tied up with concerts back in Sweden this summer, performing with Blacknuss in Båstad, Bjärred, and Stockholm. Maybe next year?
Still, Nils and his Funk Unit are more than capable of delivering a world-class show. Their latest album, Funk Is My Religion (2021), proves they’re still at the top of their game.
For more information about the lineup and events, check out the official site: banskojazzfest.bg
Let’s celebrate this fantastic Swedish presence at one of Europe’s finest jazz festivals!
Let us use this festival as an opportunity for unity and mutual understanding because jazz uniquely connects people regardless of their language, background, or culture.
Nils Landgren Funk Unit
Nils Landgren, tb, voc | Magnum Coltrane Price, b, voc | Jonas Wall, ts, fl | Andy Pfeiler, g, voc | Petter Bergander, keys, voc | Robert Ikiz, dr Special Guests: Ray Parker jr., g, voc | Candy Dulfer, as | Wolfgang Haffner, dr | Sebastian Studnitzky, tp
Why Don't You, Why Don't I · Eric Gadd
Eric Gadd (born Carl Erik Sojdelius in 1965) is a Swedish singer and songwriter known for his soulful voice and funky pop style. He broke through in the late 1980s and gained international attention with the hit “Do You Believe in Me” in 1991. Gadd has won several Swedish Grammis awards and alternates between singing in English and Swedish. He’s also appeared on Swedish TV shows like Så mycket bättre and Melodifestivalen.
The digital road...
A digital nomad uses technology to work remotely and live a nomadic life, traveling and living in various places around the world. This lifestyle is enabled by digital tools that allow one to work from anywhere with a stable internet connection. Digital nomads value flexibility, freedom, and experiences over traditional work environments and geographic stability.
Bansko in Bulgaria has become a prominent place for digital nomads, thanks to its cost-effectiveness, strong community, and an ideal mix of work and leisure activities. The town offers affordable living and accommodation costs, a strong network for collaboration and social interaction, reliable internet connection, coworking spaces, as well as nature and activities like skiing, hiking, and mountain biking. This makes Bansko an attractive location for a high-quality lifestyle for digital nomads.
Bansko Nomad Fest brings together digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders in a way that maximizes connection, collaboration, and interaction. Bansko Nomad Fest, taking place from June 22-29, 2025, is a vibrant gathering of digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, designed to foster deep connections, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
This week-long celebration of the remote work lifestyle features curated conference sessions, hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and community-led skill shares. Attendees engage in interactive activities, from outdoor adventures to social events, all set against the stunning backdrop of Bansko’s mountains.
