📰 Continuing coverage: Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2025 with Dara’s historic victory

Bulgaria has finally claimed its first Eurovision title. Dara’s ‘Bangaranga,’ a high-energy party anthem, topped the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden Sunday night, ending 57 years of near-misses for the Balkan nation. Israel’s Noam Bettan looked set to win with his smooth pop ballad ‘Michelle,’ leading after the juries. But Bulgaria’s televote surge in the final minutes flipped the scoreboard, giving Dara a 15-point victory—347 to 332 over Israel, with Sweden finishing third at 298 points.

The contest wasn’t just about the music. Protests outside the Malmö Arena dogged the event, with activists demanding Israel’s disqualification over its military actions in Gaza. Some fans skipped the show entirely, while others booed during Israel’s performance. Bettan, 28, a rising star in Israel’s pop scene, seemed poised for victory until Bulgaria’s late surge. ‘I thought we had it,’ he told reporters afterward. ‘But Eurovision is unpredictable—sometimes the heart wants one thing, and the numbers another.’

How Dara’s ‘Bangaranga’ won it

Dara, a 24-year-old singer from Sofia, brought the party with a track that mixed brass, electronic beats, and lyrics about breaking free. The song dominated the televote, especially in Bulgaria’s diaspora-heavy regions like Germany and the UK. Her stage presence—think confetti cannons and a crew of backup dancers in neon—stood out against Bettan’s stripped-down, emotional performance of ‘Michelle.’ While juries in most countries ranked Israel higher, the public’s love for Dara’s energy made the difference.

Bulgaria’s win caps a dramatic week for the country. Just days before the contest, a group of Bulgarian Eurovision fans staged a small protest outside the arena, holding signs that read ‘No Eurovision under bombs.’ The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs Eurovision, rejected calls to disqualify Israel, citing rules against political interference. ‘We respect the contest’s values of unity and music,’ an EBU spokesperson said. ‘But the protests show how deeply divided Eurovision fans are right now.’

Israel’s near-miss and what’s next

Bettan’s second-place finish is Israel’s best since 2018, when Netta won with ‘Toy.’ His song ‘Michelle,’ a tribute to his late grandmother, resonated with juries for its raw emotion. ‘I wrote it in one night after losing someone I loved,’ he said backstage. ‘But in the end, the numbers didn’t go our way.’ Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, has already confirmed it will compete again in 2027, though Bettan hinted he might take a break. ‘I need a minute,’ he laughed. ‘Maybe I’ll write a sad song next year.’

For Dara, the win is a career-defining moment. She’s been performing since she was a teenager in Bulgaria’s club scene, where ‘Bangaranga’ first blew up. ‘I never thought I’d stand here,’ she said, tears in her eyes, as confetti rained down on stage. ‘This is for every Bulgarian who’s ever been told we couldn’t win.’ Her song has already topped streaming charts across Europe, and her manager says a global tour is in the works. ‘Expect to hear this at weddings and clubs for the next year,’ he told reporters.

What the win means for Bulgaria and Eurovision

Bulgaria’s victory isn’t just a first for the country—it’s a statement. The nation has sent forgettable acts in past years, but Dara’s win proves Bulgaria can compete at the highest level. Her song’s catchy hook and high-energy performance align with Eurovision’s modern trend toward flashy, radio-friendly hits. ‘This could be the start of Bulgaria becoming a regular contender,’ said John Kennedy O’Connor, a Eurovision historian. ‘They’ve finally found their voice.’

The contest’s organizers now face a challenge: balancing the show’s spirit of unity with the reality of global politics. Protests aren’t new at Eurovision—Turkey boycotted in 2013 over Azerbaijan’s hosting—but this year’s tensions ran deeper. The EBU insists the contest remains apolitical, but the backlash shows how hard that’s becoming. For now, Eurovision’s focus shifts to next year’s host country, United Kingdom, which will host after Ukraine’s 2025 win fell through due to war. Dara’s victory might be the spark Bulgaria needs to build a lasting fanbase—and maybe even repeat in 2027.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: France 24
  • Published: May 17, 2026 at 00:21 UTC
  • Category: World
  • Topics: #france24 · #world-news · #europe · #bulgaria · #eurovision · #israel

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 17, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

A Bulgária surpreendeu o mundo ao faturar seu primeiro título no Eurovision 2026 com a contagiante “Bangaranga”, de Dara, superando Israel — que liderava até os últimos segundos da votação. A vitória, decidida nos pontos, coroou uma noite de alta emoção no palco de Gotemburgo, na Suécia, onde a energia das performances e a tensão das votações mantiveram milhões de telespectadores grudados nas telas.

O resultado ganha contornos ainda mais relevantes quando se considera o impacto cultural do Eurovision na América Latina, onde o festival europeu atrai fãs brasileiros e portugueses não só pela música, mas pela diversidade de estilos que cruzam fronteiras. Para o público lusófono, a vitória búlgara reacende discussões sobre a crescente representatividade de países menos tradicionais no certame, além de servir como inspiração para artistas que sonham em levar o Brasil ao topo do palco pela primeira vez. A Bulgária, que estreou em 2005, prova que o Eurovision segue aberto a novas vozes, desafiando o domínio histórico de nações como Suécia, Reino Unido e Israel.

Agora, a expectativa recai sobre a Suécia como anfitriã em 2027 — que promete um festival ainda mais grandioso — e se o Brasil, que já demonstrou interesse em participar, finalmente se inscreverá para disputar a tão sonhada taça.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

El pequeño país balcánico de Bulgaria se alzó con su primer triunfo en el Festival de Eurovisión tras una final reñida que dejó en vilo a millones de espectadores. La victoria de ‘Bangaranga’, interpretada por Dara, llegó en el último momento, cuando las votaciones desbancaron al favorito Noam Bettan de Israel, que había liderado la clasificación durante gran parte de la noche.

Este hito marca un giro en la historia del certamen, donde países con menos tradición en el concurso suelen quedar relegados a puestos intermedios. Para el público hispanohablante, el triunfo de Bulgaria refuerza la idea de que el talento y la innovación musical pueden romper barreras geográficas, recordando que Eurovisión sigue siendo un escaparate donde lo inesperado gana fuerza. Además, la victoria de una artista con raíces en la diáspora búlgara en España —Dara nació en Rumanía pero creció en el país ibérico— añade un matiz de diversidad cultural que resuena con audiencias multiculturales.