Dara wins the 2026 Eurovision song contest for Bulgaria

The 27-year-old Bulgarian pop star Dara, born Darina Nikolaeva Yotova, won the 70th Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Bangaranga'. The event marked the first time a Bulgarian artist has taken first place in the history of the competition. Dara, a Varna native who rose to prominence after placing third in the 2015 Bulgarian X Factor, has since become a prominent music figure and served as a coach on 'The Voice of Bulgaria' in 2021 and 2022. The winning track, 'Bangaranga', integrates modern pop production with Bulgarian folklore influences. Regarding the song's title, sources offer differing explanations: some describe it as inspired by ancient Bulgarian 'kukeri' ritual dancers, while others define it as a term from Jamaican patois meaning a 'beautiful chaos' or joyous disruption. The singer noted that the song encourages choosing love over fear. Her victory follows a successful career with hits such as 'Thunder', 'Call Me', and 'Mr Rover'.