Bulgarian banger 'Bangaranga' bags country its 1st Eurovision win

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Europe Bulgarian banger 'Bangaranga' bags country its 1st Eurovision win May 16, 20268:48 PM ET Chloe Veltman Dara and her song "Bangaranga" skyrocketed Bulgaria to first place at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest HELMUT FOHRINGER/APA/ via Getty Images/ hide caption toggle caption HELMUT FOHRINGER/APA/ via Getty Images/ Bulgaria has won the 70th Eurovision Song Contest — the country's first-ever win. The achievement surprised many because Bulgaria wasn't among the favorites to win in 2026. But with its catchy "Welcome to the riot!

" refrain and bouncy vibe, performer Dara's banging anthem "Bangaranga" bested 24 other nations for the glittery global musical crown at the finals on Saturday in Vienna, Austria. Israel came in second, as it did last year. Ten competitors were eliminated from the original group of 35 in the semi-finals earlier this week.

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In his appraisal of his 10 favorite Eurovision 2026 songs, NPR critic Glen Weldon called "Bangaranga" an "insanely catchy bop" and praised its "deep, profound, abiding grooviness. " Sponsor Message "Oh my god! " Dara yelled, as she accepted the Crystal Microphone, the event's glass trophy, from last year's winner, JJ of Austria.

As with other global cultural events, such as the Venice Biennale currently underway in Italy, the glittery annual songfest is intended as a display of goodwill and togetherness between nations. "In a world often divided, we stand united by music," said host Michael Ostrowski at the conclusion of this year's event. Last year's contest, held in Basel, Switzerland, saw record viewership, reaching 166 million viewers across 37 markets.

Israel prepared for 'boos' Eurovision has long strived to prioritize artistry over political antagonism. However, as with the Biennale, Eurovision 2026. However, as with the Biennale, Eurovision 2026 found itself at the center of protests related to the war in Gaza.

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Five countries — Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain — pulled out between September and December 2025 in protest over event organizer European Broadcasting Union's decision to allow Israel to participate amid the ongoing war in Gaza. In this year's finals, Israeli singer Noam Bettan performed the romantic breakup song "Michelle" in French, Hebrew and English. Unlike in the semifinal, when the artist sang over chants of "stop the genocide," Bettan was not booed — at least audibly.

The artist told The Times of Israel last month he had been practicing performing in front of hecklers. Sponsor Message There were both anti- and pro-Israel demonstrations in Vienna this week. Pro-Palestinian protests at the last two contests called for Israel to be disbarred from Eurovision over its role in the conflict, as well as allegations it attempted to manipulate voting to favor its entries.

The European Broadcasting Union changed its voting rules in response.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.