Bulgaria has secured its first-ever victory at the Eurovision Song Contest, as fans celebrated the return of singer Dara, whose party anthem Bangaranga proved an unexpected breakthrough hit. The win comes at a time of political instability in the country, offering a much-needed ray of hope.
The final, held in Vienna on Saturday night, was boycotted by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland over Israel's participation. Outside the venue, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched chanting 'boycott Eurovision'. Israel's entry, Michelle by Noam Bettan, came second with 343 points, while Dara's Bangaranga scored 516 points. The United Kingdom finished last with just 1 point.
Eurovision organisers noted that the Bulgarian entry won both the jury and public votes, a feat not achieved 'in almost 10 years, since Kyiv 2017'. Prime Minister Rumen Radev hailed Dara as 'a young artist who, thanks to her talent and professionalism, has managed to rise above all the complexities and prejudices surrounding the voting process'.
Dara, 27, whose real name is Darina Nikolaeva Yotova, was toasted by the foreign minister as the country's greatest young ambassador. Ina Dobreva, her former acting teacher in Varna, said the win was a moment of common happiness for Bulgarians after years of political turmoil, including eight elections in five years.
Dara said Bangaranga represents 'a quiet belief that everything's going to be all right'. She told a press conference: 'Nobody believed that we can win and that Bangaranga can win, and having this love from all the juries and all the audience tonight. It feels like a dream.'
Bulgaria is already planning for 2027, with the mayors of Sofia and Burgas lobbying to host next year's edition. Dara made a triumphant arrival in Sofia on Sunday evening, greeted with a red carpet by Mayor Vasil Terziev.
