Bulgaria’s Eurovision 2026: DARA will perform “Bangaranga” on the Eurovision 2026 stage. Listen to the song.
“Bangaranga” is the name of the song that will be performed by the singer DARA, who will represent Bulgaria at Eurovision 2026 to be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th. The song was written and composed by Dimitris Kontopoulos and Cristian Tarcea. While this is the performer’s first Eurovision entry, it marks the 15th song in the contest for composer Dimitris Kontopoulos. Over the years, he has written for numerous countries, including Cyprus (2024, 2025), Greece (2009, 2017, 2021), Russia (2014, 2016, 2019), Ukraine (2008), and Azerbaijan (2013, 2018).
The Bulgarian song selection show was broadcast live this evening from Studio 1 of the Bulgarian national broadcaster BNT in the capital, Sofia. The winning song was chosen through a combination of online audience voting (50%) and votes from a ten-member jury panel (50%).
The show was hosted by Georgi Lyubenov and Boryana Gramatikova, with Vladimira Ilieva reporting from behind the scenes.
During the evening, the selected representative DARA performed three brand-new songs written especially for the competition.
The performance begins with DARA standing at the center of the stage, wearing a white dress with white fur sleeves. Behind her, a single dancer starts to dance, soon joined by two more male dancers and two female dancers dressed in black with black fur sleeves, creating a striking contrast with the singer’s outfit as they surround her. The lighting is predominantly dark red. The dancers form a chair shape with their bodies, on which DARA sits while singing, as they move their hands rhythmically around her.
As the song progresses and she calls everyone to “rebel,” she rises and begins to dance with them. The music shifts from fast-paced trance to a slower, more ethnic melody, during which DARA stops singing for a dance break. The rhythm then transitions back to an energetic club beat as she performs a rap segment while dancing, surrounded by the dancers. During each chorus, the word “BANGARANGA” appears behind her in glowing red outlines whenever she sings it. Later, the tempo slows again and becomes more sensual, as the lighting shifts from red to white. From there, DARA builds the song back up to its energetic climax with the final explosive chorus, ending with the dancers collapsing dramatically to the floor around her.
The song “Bangaranga” is an expressive pop-dance anthem that channels the voice of a bold, fearless, and unapologetically dominant woman – someone who chooses to lead rather than follow. Its theme resonates with the values of female empowerment and individuality strongly identified with the modern Eurovision stage.
The lyrics oscillate between a powerful declaration of intent and a sensory depiction of ecstasy. The performer presents herself through a series of “extreme” images – ninja, demon, psychopath – concepts meant to subvert conventional notions of “delicate femininity” and replace them with an image of a leader in full control. The song electrifies the moment when a person loses themselves in music and light, as the boundaries between reality and illusion blur. She describes the butterflies in her stomach and the sparks coursing through her body at the edge of temporary madness, yet within this chaos, she remains the stable force that draws everyone toward her.
The chorus emphasizes the feeling of absolute liberation and a call for a positive Riot. The word “Bangaranga” becomes a mantra of explosive energy – a modern battle cry inviting the audience to join in a night where no one sleeps. She promises her crowd that she will be the one to “come light” their way, and even when words fail out of longing or the search for belonging, her magnetic presence and relentless rhythm captivate everyone watching – leaving them breathless and spellbound under her charm.
DARA – Who Are You?
DARA, whose full name is Dara Nikolaeva Yotova, is one of the most prominent pop singers of her generation in Bulgaria. She rose to public attention in late 2015 after reaching the final of the Bulgarian version of The X Factor. Since then, she has established herself as a leading figure in the national pop scene.
She launched her solo career in 2016 with the hit “K’vo ne chu“, which topped the Bulgarian charts and later received an international English-language version titled “Onto You“. In the years that followed, she released a series of successful singles, appeared on major television productions such as the Bulgarian edition of “Dancing with the Stars”, and became widely recognized beyond music audiences.
Since 2021, she has served as a mentor on The Voice of Bulgaria, where she has guided contestants to victory on two occasions. Now, she is set to take the international stage as she represents Bulgaria at Eurovision 2026 with her entry, “Bangaranga”.
Bulgaria’s “Natsionalna Selektsiya 2026” results
The competition results were determined by a panel of judges (50%) and online voting (50%). The song “Bangaranga” won first place by both judges and online voters.
- “Bangaranga” (3+3=6)
- “Curse” (2+2=4)
- “This is me” (1+1=2)
Lyrics – “Bangaranga”
All my life
Surrendered to the blindin’ lights
No one’s gonna sleep tonight
Welcome to the riot
All my life
Surrendered to the blindin’ lights
No one’s gonna sleep tonight
Welcome to the riot
(I’m the bangaran) Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga
(I’m the bangaran) Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga
(I’m the bangaran) Blindin’ lights
Welcome to the riot
I’m the bangaran
(I am) I’m the bangaran
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
Let me hype you, hype you up, let me hype you up, I’ma, I’ma
Let you get the hook, I’ma leave you shook
All my life
Surrendered to the blindin’ lights
No one’s gonna sleep tonight
Welcome to the riot
(I’m the bangaran) Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga
(I’m the bangaran) Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga
(I’m the bangaran) Blindin’ lights
Welcome to the riot
(I, I, I, I) I’m the bangaran
(Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga, I’m the bangaran)
(Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga) I’m the bangaran
(Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga, I’m the bangaran
(Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga; I am) I’m the bangaran
Close to the edge, I can feel it inside
Bodies on bodies are stuck, am I too blind?
I, I
I’m ’bout to lose my mind, mind
(I’m the bangaran) Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga
(I’m the bangaran) Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga
(I’m the bangaran, bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga) Blindin’ lights
(I’m the bangaran, bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga) Welcome to the riot
I’m a rebel (Rebel), I’m a legend (Legend)
I’m a mover (Mover) for freedom
Let me light you, light you up, let me light you up
Come on, let me pull you in ѕo deep, I’ma leave you weak
I’m the bangaran
(Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga, I’m the bangaran
(Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga) I’m the bangaran
(Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga, I’m the bangaran
(Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga) I’m the bangarаn (Ooh)
Eurovision 2026: This will be Bulgaria’s 15th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Bulgaria joined the competition in 2005 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2017 when the singer Kristian Kostov finished in second place with the song “Beautiful Mess”.
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Noy Yehoyada is an Israeli journalist and content creator at the EuroMix team since 2024, bringing a personal, feminine, and LGBTQ+ voice into the Eurovision sphere. A devoted Eurovision fan since the age of 16, she plays an active role in covering the contest—including on-site reporting at Eurovision 2025 in Basel and across European pre-party events. Alongside her writing and commentary, Noy plans the editorial schedule for the website, closely tracks national selections and song reveals, participates in live broadcasts, and creates digital content focusing on representation, musical diversity, and emotional connections.
Beyond her work at EuroMix, Noy has over six years of experience in the cosmetics and pharma industries, with a background in sales, personal consulting, and managing beauty departments. She enjoys pop, rap, contemporary art, and traveling in Europe—and especially loves songs that make her want to dance, as well as those that tell a story.
