site.btaBansko Delegation Visits Zakopane in Poland

A delegation of the mountain resort town of Bansko, Southwestern Bulgaria paid a three-day visit to Zakopane, Southern Poland for a Ski Jump World Cup event at the invitation of Mayor Leszek Dorula, Bansko Municipality reported on Sunday. The delegation included Mayor Stoicho Banenski, Municipal Council Chair Dimitar Ruskov, Chief Architect Nikolai Nikolov and Municipal Councillor Kostadin Mutafchiev.

The guests had a series of meetings and visits to tourist, sport and urban infrastructure facilities as well as cultural and sport sites which attract many tourists. At business meetings and informal talks the sides discussed good practices and possibilities for mutual assistance on a bilateral basis and through EU financial instruments.

The partnership between Bansko and Zakopane dates back to 2008. They became twinned towns in 2015.

The visiting delegation was briefed on the regulatory framework for building tourist and sport infrastructure in the town of Zakopane and the mountain, and the methods for its management. It learned about the organization of cleaning services, the maintenance of public order and security, the urban mobility system, and investments in public works. Special attention was paid to public heating in Zakopane, 40% of which uses geothermal water sources. The Zakopane authorities expressed their willingness to assist exploration for geothermal water in the Bansko area by providing their best specialists who enjoy a very high reputation in Europe.

The guests were impressed by the huge interest generated by the Ski Jump World Cup. All 25,000 paid seats for the audience in front of the large hill had been sold. Poles are equally enthusiastic about actively using all sport facilities and visiting natural landmarks all the year round. There is a very busy 9 km snow-covered walkway to the popular Morskie Oko Lake high up in the mountain.

The leaders of the two twinned towns agreed to enrich cultural cooperation and exchange. Folk acts from Bansko will continue to present Bulgarian traditions and arts in Zakopane. The sides will step up cooperation of culture and education institutions.

Rescuers from the two areas will share experience and will help each other improve their skills. Polish rescuers have a lot to share about using helicopters in the mountain.

The two local governments considered joint tourism advertising initiatives. They will need the cooperation of the Bulgarian and Polish diplomatic missions.

The Bansko officials met with Bulgaria's top ski jumper Vladimir Zografski, who lives and trains in Zakopane.