"Bulgaria has won the 2026 Eurovision song contest after singer Dara swept to victory with the song Bangaranga. The 27-year-old singer's triumph is a first victory in the 70-year history of the song contest for Bulgaria, which only joined Eurovision in 2005 and sat out the last three editions."
"Described by its performer as pop music with folklore bones, Bangaranga is a pulsating party anthem inspired by kukeri an ancient Bulgarian ritual where men roam through villages dressed in furry costumes with bells and animal masks. The precise meaning of bangaranga became one of the running jokes of the night."
"Singer Dara said bangaranga is a special energy that everyone has got in themselves, a feeling that everything is possible. Bulgaria's surprise win means the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and other participating broadcasters will be spared a major headache. Had second-placed Israel won, organisers would have faced difficult questions over where to host the song contest's 2027 edition."
"Controversially, Eurovision's anniversary was celebrated without five nations who boycotted the event over the continued participation of Israel while attacks continue in Gaza. Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland all declined to participate after the EBU changed the rules around multiple votes and state-sponsored promotion of songs, but stopped short of preventing Israeli broadcaster Kan par"
Bulgaria won the 2026 Eurovision song contest when singer Dara won with “Bangaranga.” The victory was Bulgaria’s first in the contest’s 70-year history, despite joining in 2005 and sitting out the last three editions. “Bangaranga” is described as pop music with folklore elements and draws inspiration from kukeri, an ancient Bulgarian ritual in which men roam villages in furry costumes with bells and animal masks. The meaning of “bangaranga” became a running joke during the event. Dara said the word represents a special energy found in everyone. The contest took place in Vienna for its 70th anniversary, with about 10,000 spectators and an expected TV audience above 100 million. Five nations boycotted the event over Israel’s continued participation amid attacks in Gaza, and other countries declined after rule changes affecting voting and promotion.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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