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A global conference specifically for digital nomads, Bansko Nomad Fest inspires and connects people seeking to work from anywhere. Rose Dykins reports

Bansko Nomad Fest has returned for its 2022 edition, welcoming hundreds of digital nomads from all over to world to Bansko, Bulgaria.

Taking place between June 26 until July 3, 2022, the conference was created specifically for digital nomads, remote workers and freelancers. This year’s festival has attracted more than 300 participants and 70 international guest speakers to the Bulgarian mountain town.

Bansko Nomad FestThere will be a series of workshops, presentations and inspiring talks that explore topics such as finding remote work and becoming a digital nomad; the benefits and challenges of living the nomad lifestyle, creating and managing a homegrown online business (such as eCommerce, online courses and stock photography), and inspiring success stories of digital nomads.

Bansko Nomad Fest’s talks, workshops, and presentations take place in the mornings, with the afternoons and evenings reserved for group activities such as hiking, rafting, mountain biking, speed dating, wine tours and networking.

There are also “unconference” sessions, where participants are invited to organise their own sessions to present what they do, or share one of their passions. This creates opportunities other participants over common interests and showcase expertise.

Bansko Nomad FestOrganised by Coworking Bansko, Bansko Nomad Fest was founded in 2020, and returned last year by popular demand. Coworking Bansko hosts more than 100 digital nomads each year, providing them with a ready-made coworking community in the Bulgarian capital.

For a membership fee of €129 per month, users get 24/7 access to a number of coworking spaces around the city – including a social space, a tool room, a podcasting booth and hot desks with ergonomic chairs and high-speed internet.

Members are also invited to social events to meet likeminded people during their time in Bansko, such as movie nights, barbecues, camping trips and skillshare sessions.

Bansko’s global reputation as a European digital nomad hub has grown since Matthias Zeitler opened Coworking Bansko in 2016. With its easy access to mountains, historical city centre, excellent skiing conditions during winter, and affordable prices, Bansko has been steadily attracting  digital nomads ever since.

Bansko Nomad FestZeitler says: “Bansko Nomad Fest is a week-long celebration of the nomad lifestyle. It’s a combination of inspirational speakers, self-organised events, activities like wine-tasting or rafting, going to all the local restaurants here in Bansko enjoying tasty Bulgarian food, and bringing people together.

“We want to make sure everyeone connect with other nomads to either find business partners, travel buddies – maybe soul mates – and sample the Bansko lifestyle for the week and understand what’s magical [about the city].”