Saturday, May 16, 2026

BREAKING NEWS: Bulgaria Wins 70th Eurovision Song Contest with Upbeat Party Anthem ‘Bangaranga’

VIENNA (AP) — Bulgarian singer Dara won the 70th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday with her infectious party anthem “Bangaranga,” giving the southeast European country its first-ever Eurovision victory.
https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-560w,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2026-05/260512-eurovision-rs-6c0871.jpg 

 
Comments 6

Dara beat 24 other competitors during Saturday’s grand final in Vienna. The song’s infectious beats and tightly choreographed dance routine proved a hit with both national juries and viewers, whose votes together decide the winner.

Israeli competitor Noam Bettan came second after a contest clouded by protests against t he country’s participation.

https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/ottumwacourier.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/2f/22f69468-7556-5c1e-ba02-a2c1d3047bfc/6a08fc07bf5d4.image.jpg?resize=750%2C500 

Dara is an established name in her homeland and a mentor on “The Voice Bulgaria,” but had not been among the favorites to win. Still, “Bangaranga” is the sort of pop banger that Eurovision does so well, with its irresistible exhortation: “Surrender to the blinding lights. No one’s gonna sleep tonight. Welcome to the riot.”

Dara beat 24 other competitors during Saturday’s grand final in Vienna. The song’s infectious beats and tightly choreographed dance routine proved a hit with both national juries and viewers, whose votes together decide the winner.

Israeli competitor Noam Bettan came second after a contest clouded by protests against t he country’s participation.

Dara is an established name in her homeland and a mentor on “The Voice Bulgaria,” but had not been among the favorites to win. Still, “Bangaranga” is the sort of pop banger that Eurovision does so well, with its irresistible exhortation: “Surrender to the blinding lights. No one’s gonna sleep tonight. Welcome to the riot.”

[. . .] After a week’s buildup, acts from 25 countries took the stage at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna to battle for the continent’s pop crown. Millions of viewers around the world cast judgment on a fiery Finnish violinist, a Moldovan folk rapper, a Serbian metal band and many more at Eurovision’s 70th anniversary event. . .

The campy, colorful contest has been likened to the World Cup with songs instead of soccer. And like global sports, it often becomes entangled in politics. The contest has been clouded for a third year by calls for Israel to be excluded over its conflicts in Gaza and elsewhere, with five longtime participants — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia — boycotting in protest.

Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen from Finland perform the song "Liekinheitin" during the first semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen from Finland perform the song “Liekinheitin” during the first semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

The political tensions have clouded a contest that over the decades has given the world the perfect pop of ABBA’s “Waterloo” and the ageless “Nel blu, dipinto di blu” — better known as “Volare” — along with a host of Euro-pop party anthems.

  • The musicians had just 3 minutes to win over viewers. 
  • Jets of flame, glitter guns and wind machines worked overtime in a show that celebrated Europe’s eclectic musical tastes.
 
Bangaranga... : r/eurovision 
 
DARA will represent Bulgaria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the song Bangaranga 🇧🇬 Credits:  K2ID Productions 
Written by: Cristian Tarcea, Darina Yotova, Anne Judith Wik, Dimitris Kontopoulos Choreographer: Kevin Kostov Dancers: Vladyslava Stetsenko, Gabriela Aleksandrova, Ivo Ivanov, Victor Angelov Colors: Denislav Marinov Styling: Ivan Tsutsumanov MUA: Eliza Popova Hair: Georgi Petkov, Ceco Ivanov 
 
 
 ~~~ Lyrics ~~~ 
Come alive Surrender to the blinding lights No one's gonna sleep tonight Welcome to the riot I'm the bangarang Bangaranga bangaranga Bangaranga I'm the bangarang Bangaranga bangaranga Bangaranga, I'm the bangarang Blinding lights Welcome to the riot I’m an angel I’m a demon I’m a psycho For no reason I'm a mover I'm a teaser I don’t follow I’m the leader Lemme Hype ya, hype ya up Lemme hype ya up Imma imma Let you get so hooked Imma leave you shook Come alive Surrender to the blinding lights No one's gonna sleep tonight Welcome to the riot I'm the bangarang Bangaranga bangaranga Bangaranga I'm the bangarang Bangaranga bangaranga Bangaranga, I'm the bangarang Blinding lights Welcome to the riot Close to the edge I can feel it inside Bodies on bodies and sparks 'bout to fly I'm (oh, I'm) about to lose my mind (mind) I'm the bangarang Bangaranga bangaranga Bangaranga I'm the bangarang Bangaranga bangaranga Bangaranga, I'm the bangarang Blinding lights Welcome to the riot I’m a rebel, I’m a danger I’m a mover, For a freedom Let me light you, light you up Let me light you up Come on, let me pull you in so deep I am gone leave you weak (I'm the bangarang) (I'm the bangarang) (I'm the bangarang) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬 Dara - BANGARANGA 
 
https://i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article33960257.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Jury-vote.png 

No comments:

BREAKING NEWS: Bulgaria Wins 70th Eurovision Song Contest with Upbeat Party Anthem ‘Bangaranga’

VIENNA (AP) — Bulgarian singer Dara won the 70th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday with her infectious party anthem “Bangaranga,” givin...