"Bulgarians have rejoiced in their country's first victory at the Eurovision song contest as fans welcomed home the singer whose party anthem Bangaranga proved an unexpected breakthrough hit. Dara is yet more proof that Bulgaria can win, declared the new prime minister, Rumen Radev, of Darina Nikolaeva Yotova, known simply as Dara. He hailed a young artist who, thanks to her talent and professionalism, has managed to rise above all the complexities and prejudices surrounding the [Eurovision] voting process."
"The final, which took place 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 had marched past chanting boycott Eurovision. In the event, Israel's entry, Michelle, sung by Noam Bettan, came second on 343 points, while Dara's Bangaranga scored 516 points."
"Eurovision organisers highlighted that the Bulgarian entry ended up winning both the jury and public votes, which it said had not happened in almost 10 years, since Kyiv 2017. Bulgaria wins Eurovision song contest with Dara's Bangaranga video The surprise Bulgarian success was met with delight in the south-eastern European country, where Dara, 27, was toasted by the foreign minister as the country's greatest young ambassador and proof that talent, courage and hard work can pay off."
"Ina Dobreva, Dara's former acting teacher in her home town of Varna, said she was delighted for her old student and that she fully deserved her victory. The win, she added, was a much-needed ray of hope at a turbulent time in the country. Bulgarians really needed to have a moment like this where we can gather around common happiness, Dobreva told the Guardian."
Dara, Darina Nikolaeva Yotova, won Bulgaria’s first Eurovision victory with “Bangaranga,” scoring 516 points to defeat Israel’s “Michelle,” which scored 343 points. The prime minister Rumen Radev praised her talent and professionalism and credited her rise above complexities and prejudices tied to Eurovision voting. The final in Vienna on Saturday night was boycotted by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland over Israel’s participation, while pro-Palestinian demonstrators chanted outside the venue. Eurovision organisers said Bulgaria’s entry won both jury and public votes for the first time in almost 10 years. Dara was celebrated at home as a symbol of young ambassadorial talent and hope during turbulent times.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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