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The Bulgarians have enjoyed their country’s first victory in the sport Eurovision music competition where fans welcomed home the singer whose party song Bangaranga unexpectedly won.
“Dara is more proof Bulgaria can win,” said the new minister, Rumen Radev, of Darina Nikolaeva Yotova, known as Dara.
The final, which took place in Vienna on Saturday night, was banned by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland because of Israel’s participation. Outside the stadium, hundreds of Palestinian protesters marched and chanted “boycott Eurovision”.
In the event, the entry of Israel, Michelle, singer with Noam Bettan, was second on 343 points; while Bangaranga from Dara scored 516 points.
The United Kingdom, also did well, with its entry, Ein, Zwei, Drei by See Mother No Computer AKA Sam Battle, finishing 25th (last) with only one point.
Eurovision organizers revealed that Bulgaria’s entry won all the judges’ and public votes, which they said had not happened “in almost 10 years, since Kyiv 2017”.
Bulgaria’s surprise win was met with jubilation in the south-east European country, where Dara, 27, was hailed by the foreign minister as the country’s top young ambassador and proof that “talent, courage and hard work” can pay off.
Ina Dobreva, Dara’s former teacher in her hometown of Varna, said she was happy for her former student and that she deserved him. This victory, he added, was the most important hope at a time of turmoil in the country.
“Bulgarians really needed to have a moment like this where we can be happy,” Dobreva said. Bulgaria, a member of the EU, has experienced years of political turmoil, and recently held its eighth general election in five years.
“I didn’t expect Bulgaria to win, so it was good to see that for the first time, we made it,” said Kristina Dureva, 25, a recruiter in Sofia.
Ilayda Kayalar, a 21-year-old interior design student from the capital, said that the Eurovision victory strengthened the EU’s cooperation with Bulgaria and helped boost the country’s popularity in the international arena.
“I am very happy today,” said Kayalar. “Winning (Eurovision) means that Bulgaria is also known for something.”
Dara said that in a world of turmoil, Bangaranga represents a “calm belief that everything will be alright”.
He told the press: “No one believes that we can win and that Bangaranga can win, and to have this love from all the judges and the audience tonight. It feels like a dream.
Bulgaria has already changed its mind to 2027, according to the head of BNT, a public broadcaster. Both the mayors of Sofia and Burgas, a city with a port on the Black Sea, say they are encouraging their city to host next year’s edition.
Dara arrived triumphantly in Sofia on Sunday evening, with Vasil Terziev, the mayor of Sofia, saying: “He will be welcomed with a red carpet.”
