Bulgaria's Dara Wins Eurovision with 'Bangaranga' Amidst Controversy Over Israel's Participation
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There have been some heated moments at Eurovision over the last decade, mostly related to pro-Palestinian sentiment appearing on air during the contest. In 2019, Iceland was fined after the members of its competing act held up scarves featuring the Palestinian flag on air. But generally, Eurovision has proceeded apace—until this year. After the 2025 voting controversy and amid the war in Gaza, Iceland, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia announced that they would not participate in 2026’s Eurovision as long as Israel remained in the competition.
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NewsweekA Contest Under Pressure Israel’s participation has become the defining controversy of Eurovision 2026, with protests intensifying after more than two years of war in Gaza.
NYT ArtsBulgaria Wins Eurovision Song Contest as Israel Comes Second Five countries boycotted this year’s contest over Israel’s involvement, but politics took a back seat once the show in Vienna got underway.
Washington Times CultureHost city Vienna has been bedecked in hearts and the contest’s “United by Music” motto for a week in which singers and bands from 35 countries will compete onstage for the continent’s musical crown. But five countries - Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland - are boycotting to protest Israel’s inclusion.
The Guardian CultureIn the highly polarised previous two editions of the song contest, Israel had performed strongly in the public vote, coming second in 2025. Other nation’s broadcasters voiced concerns about the Israeli government’s heavy promotion of its acts through its social media channels, however, leading voting rules to be changed for Vienna.
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Bulgaria Hopes Eurovision Win Will Show Its Strength as a Continental Player Recent months have brought remarkable change in the Eastern European nation, which has just adopted the euro and forced the resignation of a leader through major protests.
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On the night, Israel’s entry Michelle, a romantic pop song about a toxic relationship performed by Noam Bettan, came in at second place after performing strongly in the public vote.
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NewsweekNoam Bettan ultimately finished second behind Bulgaria's 27-year-old pop star Dara in the final count, but received a huge number of votes from the public after the jury's verdict was announced.
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VIENNA — 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 victory in the competition.
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The Guardian CultureBulgaria has won the 2026 Eurovision song contest after singer Dara swept to victory with the song Bangaranga.
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Dara has spoken about battling with anxiety, and described bangaranga as an inner force that allows people to “drop this mask of chasing perfection.” She has said the song draws on Bulgaria’s kukeri, elaborately costumed men who perform ritual dances to ward off evil spirits.
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The Guardian CultureDescribed by its performer as “pop music with folklore bones”, Bangaranga is a pulsating party anthem inspired by kukeri – an ancient Bulgarian ritual where men roam through villages dressed in furry costumes with bells and animal masks.
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“Inviting Israel on such a beautiful stage as the Eurovision Song Contest stage is an affront to all the people who believe in humanity, who believe in love and togetherness,” said Congolese-Austrian artist Patrick Bongola, one of the organizers.
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Ireland’s public broadcaster will air a film about one couple’s life in the Irish countryside. Slovenians will be shown an episode of a 10-part program about Palestinians. People can still watch Eurovision on the European Broadcasting Union’s YouTube channel, but the lack of a performer or commentator from their own country renders the vibe decidedly less passionate.
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The Guardian CultureInstead of ballads at the Wiener Stadthalle arena, Spain’s state broadcaster TVE will air an alternative music show, Slovenia’s RTV will show documentaries on Gaza, and Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, will air a 1996 episode of the Father Ted sitcom in which Catholic priests sing My Lovely Horse at a European contest and earn nul points. The news site Extra.ie called the move “genius trolling” under the headline My Lovely Boycott.
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01 Newsweek Broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands had pulled out of Eurovision this year, making it the smallest event for more than 20 years.
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02 Washington Times Culture Dara beat 24 other competitors during Saturday’s grand final of the sequin-drenched pop music competition. The song’s infectious beats and tightly choreographed dance routine proved a hit with both national juries in participating countries and viewers around the world, whose votes together decide the winner.
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03 The Guardian Culture The 70th anniversary of the musical extravaganza took place in Vienna, after Austria’s operatic contestant JJ triumphed last year.
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04 NYT Arts As the votes are cast, it’s a celebration of Eurovision’s 70th anniversary.
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- newsweek
- vanityfair
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