Eurovision 2026 winner DARA joins forces with BNT and the Ministry of Tourism to promote Bulgaria ahead of hosting Eurovision 2027.
Photo: Ministry of Tourism Bulgaria
Preparations for hosting Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria are gaining momentum, and with them, efforts to leverage tourism in the country. DARA, the winner of Eurovision 2026, is expected to lead a large-scale advertising campaign that will showcase Bulgaria to the world, after responding to an invitation from the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Ilin Dimitrov, to take part in the initiative. A formal meeting held between the two was also attended by Milena Milotinova, the CEO of the Bulgarian national broadcaster BNT, which is responsible for producing the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in the country.
The new project by the Ministry of Tourism is based on creating videos and promotional materials starring famous Bulgarians – including artists, athletes, scientists, and young achievers, who can speak about the country in a personal and convincing way.
During the meeting, DARA shared that she feels the deepest connection to her hometown, Varna, and this is by no means the first time this has been noted. Since her victory, DARA has made it strictly clear that she wants Eurovision 2027 to be held in Varna. In the meeting, the singer expressed great pride in the tourism and heritage sites of the Bulgarian “coastal capital.” Among other things, she noted the ancient burial site where the oldest processed gold in the world was found, the unique natural phenomenon of the “Stone Forest” Pobiti Kamani, as well as famous historical sites like the rock-hewn Aladzha Monastery and the Roman Thermae of Varna.
A Personal Connection to Bulgarian History
“History was my favorite subject in school,” DARA shared. “It is very important to me that the message to the audience is personal. When someone talks about a place they have truly experienced and felt, it touches people in a much stronger way.” The singer also excitedly recalled her visit last year to the Belogradchik Fortress in northwestern Bulgaria, which for her symbolizes the beauty of the country.
BNT CEO, Milena Milotinova, emphasized the huge promotional potential inherent in hosting the competition:
“Our country has a particularly strong identity as an ancient state that gave the world one of its most widespread scripts, and this story must be presented to the world. Eurovision is a global show that generates an ongoing annual campaign for the host country. With the help of a figure like DARA, we will succeed in significantly increasing interest in Bulgaria.”
At the end of the meeting, Minister Ilin Dimitrov presented DARA with a special gift: a statuette of a rose, the most famous and recognized symbol of Bulgaria around the world.
Grand Rewards for the Eurovision Winner
The appreciation for the singer following her historic achievement in Vienna goes far beyond this meeting: two days ago, the cultural council of the coastal city of Varna, the star’s hometown, announced that the official “Varna Day” festival taking place on August 25th will be entirely dedicated this year to a grand tribute concert in her honor under the title “The Voice of Varna”. Following public and political pressure, the municipal cultural budget was increased, and a massive sum of €160,000 was allocated for the show, which will be held at the iconic Pantheon complex in the Sea Garden. The ambitious production will feature a giant stage and massive LED screens, while the artistic concept of the evening will be completely dedicated to the Eurovision world, with a lineup of artists and past stars from the competition expected to take the stage alongside DARA – a full list that will be revealed during the coming month.
In addition, the Sofia City Council unanimously approved granting DARA the title of “Honorary Citizen of Sofia” following her Eurovision victory, which will allow the city to host the competition close to the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria joining the European Broadcasting Union. The title, to be officially awarded in September, will grant her a full exemption from paying for public transport in the city for her entire life. Furthermore, her hometown of Varna will grant her its own honorary citizenship in August, alongside a highly luxurious gift: a plot of land measuring approximately 900 square meters located directly on the Black Sea coastline.
The warm gesture from the minister and the sweeping support of the country emphasize DARA’s new status: not only a proud Eurovision winner, but the new voice and face of all of Bulgaria.
A Budget Struggle That Ended in a Victory for Culture
The celebratory concert almost ran into difficulties after it emerged in previous council meetings that the mayor did not initially include budgets for several traditional cultural events in the city. The council members expressed harsh resentment over the lack of funding for long-standing cultural institutions, including the Varna International Jazz Festival, the honorary titles award ceremony at the Summer Theater, and the classical music concert “By the Fountain”.
Following public and political pressure, the necessary corrections were introduced and the budget was increased from 294,200 euros to 340,100 euros – which not only guaranteed the existence of those veteran institutions, but above all paved the way for the magnificent tribute evening for DARA. The full performance schedule, including the list of Eurovision stars who will come to celebrate with the artist, is expected to be revealed during the coming month.
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 2027: This wil be Bulgaria’s 16th 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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