Hundreds of enthusiastic supporters flooded Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport on Sunday, waving Bulgarian national flags and cheering loudly to welcome home Dara, the newly crowned winner of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. Looking exhausted but beaming with joy, the 27-year-old artist stepped off the plane holding aloft her Eurovision trophy, marking a historic milestone for the small Southeast European nation. All major Bulgarian broadcast networks interrupted their scheduled programming to carry live, uninterrupted coverage of the homecoming celebration for viewers across the country.
Dara, whose full legal name is Darina Yotova, secured Bulgaria’s first ever Eurovision win on Saturday at the competition held in Vienna, topping the leaderboard with her high-energy, crowd-pleasing hit “Bangaranga”. Outperforming 24 other competing artists from across Europe and beyond, the track’s catchy, infectious beats and polished synchronized choreography resonated strongly with both professional jury panels from participating nations and global public voters, whose combined scores determine the annual contest’s champion.
In brief remarks to reporters upon her arrival, Dara framed her victory as more than just a personal achievement. “This award marks the beginning of my future international career,” she said, adding that the win should draw attention to the depth of creative talent emerging from her home country. “We have done something great for Bulgarian music, and I hope this sends a message that Bulgaria’s performers and artists deserve stronger support. Bulgaria is an exceptionally talented nation that will continue to receive more and more attention,” she added.
The win has sparked a wave of national pride across Bulgaria, with top political leaders joining public celebrations of Dara’s achievement. Parliamentary Speaker Mihaela Dotsova described the victory as “an inspiration for the nation,” while President Iliana Yotova called it a “triumph for Bulgaria.” Prime Minister Rumen Radev echoed that praise, noting the win is “a victory with global resonance” for the country.
Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev was also on hand at the airport to greet the new champion, and confirmed that the Bulgarian capital is already prepared to host the 2027 edition of the iconic song contest. The 2027 event would align with the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union, creating a fitting milestone for the country’s first time hosting the long-running competition.