Eurovision winner Dara closed the 18th Sofia Pride, fiercely responding to government pressure attempting to cancel her historic performance in the capital.
The performance by Eurovision winner Dara at the eighteenth Sofia Pride captured the majority of media attention in Bulgaria – and not just because of the music. The event, which took place this past weekend at the Prince’s Garden in the center of the Bulgarian capital, attracted thousands of participants under heavy police security, becoming a true clash between the liberal cultural world and the conservative establishment.
Heavy Security and Protest in Sofia
The parade was held under the massive presence of armed police forces who secured the approaches to the park and the main routes of the procession. Bulgarian citizens en masse waved Pride flags and signs calling for equal rights and the fight against ongoing discrimination.
The climax of the event was undoubtedly the closing performance. The singer, chosen to close the Pride parade, performed a short set that included several of her biggest hits and concluded with the beloved song “Bangaranga“, with which she won the grand contest held in Vienna, Austria.
A Fierce Response to Political Pressures
However, the star’s decision to take an active part in the event did not go quietly and drew criticism and actual attempts to thwart it behind the scenes. Following the pressures exerted on her, both from figures in the music industry and from the Bulgarian government, the artist chose not to stay silent. She delivered her crushing response to the attempts to dissuade her from her public support of the LGBTQ+ community directly to her fans via a story she uploaded to her Instagram account.
In a poignant and unprecedented statement, she wrote:
“Everyone in the industry might try to stop me from doing what I do. Everyone in the government might try to do it too. But I’ve always been a city girl, and I won’t betray myself today either. Love belongs to everyone. Shaming people for who they are and who they love is outdated. You either grow with me, or you get left behind.”
The unequivocal message delivered by the pop star on social media resonates well with the values of the parade organizers, who fight every year for social acceptance and against discrimination. For the international fanbase closely following the winner, this steadfast stance positions her not only as an artist representing the country but as a figure willing to publicly confront the establishment in her homeland to stand up for her principles.
Bulgaria in Eurovision 2026
“Bangaranga” is the song performed by the singer DARA, which represented Bulgaria in Vienna, Austria. DARA won the contest and got 516 points in the final. 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. The song is performed entirely in English.
Eurovision 2026: This was Bulgaria’s 15th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Bulgaria joined the competition in 2005 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2026 when the singer Dara finished in first place with the song “Bangaranga”.
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A writer and content creator in the field of Eurovision, a commentator with extensive expertise in the modern era of the contest. Adiel’s vast knowledge and familiarity with Eurovision are reflected in every article, ensuring professional and up-to-date content. He closely follows song releases and various Eurovision pre-events. Adiel has a fondness for cultures and new languages, which he discovered through his love of Eurovision. In his writing, he places great emphasis on professional commentary and a diversity of opinions.
