Bulgaria wins the Eurovision Song Contest with Dara’s ‘Bangaranga’

BREAKING NEWSMay. 16, 2026, 11:05 PM UTCCulture & TrendsCulture & TrendsBulgaria wins the Eurovision Song Contest with Dara’s ‘Bangaranga’This year’s contest has been overshadowed by discord and controversy, with five countries withdrawing in a dispute over the continued participation of Israel.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00The lettering 'Eurovision Song Contest Vienna 2026 in Vienna, Austria on April 28.Joe Klamar / AFP via Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleBy Andrew JonesBulgaria triumphed on Saturday night at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, held under the shadow of controversy over the continued participation of Israel.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The win by Bulgaria’s Dara was an unexpected upset. Her song, “Bangaranga,” is an upbeat dance pop banger, which features intense dancing and an infectious chorus. The fever dream of a song started dialed up to 11 and continued apace. The tune captivated the audience in the Wiener Stadthalle, receiving some of the loudest cheers. This is the first win for the Balkan nation. Linda Lampenius from Finland performs "Liekinheitin" during the rehearsal for the final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest on Friday.Jens Büttner / dpa / picture alliance via Getty ImagesViewers at home cannot vote for their own country. Saturday’s grand final, which saw artists from 25 countries compete, also marked the 70th anniversary of the contest, celebrating its deep roots in European pop culture with a medley of classic Eurovision songs performed by contemporary stars.The contest’s origins were partly about “attempting to bring Europe closer together, particularly following the Second World War,” Martin Green, the executive in charge of the contest, said in an interview last week.“That sort of DNA stayed with it in a couple of ways,” he added. “It’s still a show that tries to bring the world together.”But for a comp...