Daniel Kreps
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Dara, representing Bulgaria with the song 'Bangaranga', celebrates with the trophy after the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 (ESC) at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria on May 16, 2026. Tobias Schwarz/AFP via Getty Images Bulgaria was the surprise winner at the 2026 Eurovision, with the country’s Dara and her “Bangaranga” victorious at the 70th annual Song Contest.
The win marked Bulgaria’s first Eurovision victory since joining the competition in 2005; the country did not send a performer to the previous three Eurovision Song Contests, and only returned in 2026 as a handful of countries opted out due to Israel’s inclusion.
Going into the finals, “Bangarang” was not among the favorites to take home the title, nor was it included among Rolling Stone’s five most likely winners. However, it was Dara’s song about “bangaranga” — “a special energy that everyone has got in themselves, a feeling that everything is possible,” the singer explained — that was awarded the Crystal Microphone.
According to the Guardian, “Bangaranga” was inspired by “kukeri – an ancient Bulgarian ritual where men roam through villages dressed in furry costumes with bells and animal masks.”
