Category: Bulgaria

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); DARA brings the Bulgarian Kukeri tradition to the Eurovision 2026 stage in Vienna with a powerful first rehearsal for "Bangaranga". Bulgaria’s first rehearsal for Eurovision 2026 opened today at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, promising to be one of the most talked-about moments of the contest. DARA arrived to open the second semi-final with the song "Bangaranga", accompanied by a dance troupe creating a sense of absolute madness on stage. European audiences are set to witness a powerful display that merges ancient tradition with dark, modern pop.   הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם   ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎Eurovision Song Contest‎‏ (@‏‎eurovision‎‏)‎‏ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‎‏ Bulgaria's First Rehearsal: More Details The performance begins with a visual sequence reminiscent of iconic shows from recent years, but it quickly becomes clear that this is something entirely different. The dancers appear out of control, channeling the ancient Bulgarian Kukeri tradition, which is intended to exorcise evil spirits and clear dark energies. The rapid movements and facial...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); DARA and director Fredrik Rydman are in Athens preparing Bulgaria’s "Bangaranga" for Eurovision 2026 - aiming for a first-ever victory in Vienna? The man behind the recent Swiss and Swedish Eurovision victories has landed in Athens to direct the Bulgarian entry - "Bangaranga" by DARA. Is Bulgaria on its way to its first-ever victory? And which Eurovision star did the singer share the stage with last night? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Is Bulgaria signaling its next victory? Just before Eurovision 2026 kicks off, Fredrik "Benke" Rydman, the Swedish choreographer and artistic director considered one of the most influential in modern contest history, has joined the rehearsals for the Bulgarian representative in Athens. Together with Swedish director Sacha Jean-Baptiste, herself a Eurovision winner, it seems Bulgaria is aiming very high in this year’s competition. Rydman holds a very impressive Eurovision resume. He is the director behind the win of Nemo's "The Code" and the spinning...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); For the first time: Sacha Jean-Baptiste and Fredrik "Benke" Rydman will join forces to direct DARA for Bulgaria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. It seems that Bulgaria does not intend to leave anything to chance for Eurovision 2026. In a post published by the esteemed Swedish director Sacha Jean-Baptiste, it was revealed that she and Fredrik "Benke" Rydman will join forces for the first time to direct the performance of the Bulgarian singer, pop star DARA. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “We are very happy and excited to unite forces for Bulgaria and the superstar DARA,” Jean-Baptiste wrote on her Instagram account. “We have created something ‘BANGARANGA’ together and we cannot wait to share it with you!”   הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם   ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎JEANBAPTISTEGROUP‎‏ (@‏‎jeanbaptistegroup‎‏)‎‏ The Masterminds Behind the Biggest Victories This is a historic collaboration, as both creators are considered the most successful and influential directors in Eurovision over the past decade, each boasting...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 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...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Bulgaria’s “Natsionalna Selektsiya 2026” concludes tonight at 20:00 CET. Watch as DARA performs three songs to decide Bulgaria’s Eurovision entry. The third and final stage of Bulgaria’s “Natsionalna Selektsiya 2026” will take place tonight, determining the country’s entry for the upcoming contest. This stage follows two previous rounds in which the competing artists were revealed. At the end of the second phase, DARA was chosen to represent Bulgaria at Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria on May 12th, 14th and 16th. The broadcast will begin at 20:00 CET and is expected to last approximately one hour, ending around 21:00. Watch Bulgaria's National Song Selection for Eurovision Here! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Hosts and Show Format Tonight’s live broadcast will be aired from Studio 1 of the Bulgarian national broadcaster (BNT) in Sofia. The show will be hosted by Georgi Lyubenov and Boryana Gramatikova, joined by Vladimira Ilieva, who will report from behind the scenes. During the one-hour live show, Bulgaria’s chosen representative DARA will take the...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Poli Genova, Bulgaria’s Eurovision representative in 2011 and 2016, revealed in a television interview that she attempted to enter Bulgaria’s “Natsionalna Selektsiya 2026” but was blocked by senior decision-makers. While public attention is currently focused on Bulgaria’s Eurovision 2026 representative, DARA, and the controversy surrounding her over the past week, one of Bulgaria’s most beloved Eurovision participants, Poli Genova, revealed in a television interview that she attempted to compete in Bulgaria’s national selection, “Natsionalna Selektsiya 2026,” but was unsuccessful. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   View this post on Instagram   The singer, who brought significant acclaim to Bulgaria with her fourth-place finish in Stockholm and the country’s first qualification to the Eurovision Grand Final in nine years, revealed that she had a strong desire to return to the Eurovision stage for a third time. However, according to her, internal figures within the Bulgarian national broadcaster, BNT, prevented her plans from moving forward. During a local television broadcast,...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Bulgarian singer DARA confirms she will remain Bulgaria’s Eurovision 2026 representative despite backlash, online controversy, and voting allegations. This evening (Monday), Bulgarian singer DARA, Bulgaria’s representative for Eurovision 2026, shared on social media that she has no intention of withdrawing from Eurovision 2026. This follows several hours of uncertainty regarding her participation, after she revealed earlier today that she was considering stepping down from the competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   View this post on Instagram   “All of us, Bulgaria, will shine on the map” In her personal post, DARA revealed the intensity of the drama she has experienced in recent days and the emotional toll caused by the criticism directed at her. Nevertheless, she emphasized that she will continue on her path and represent Bulgaria at Eurovision 2026, choosing to stand firm in the face of hatred and harsh reactions, driven by her desire to present her country on the world’s biggest stage. As reported earlier,...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); DARA, Bulgaria’s Eurovision 2026 representative, considers withdrawal after backlash and declining motivation, with a final decision expected within hours. It was reported this morning that DARA, Bulgaria’s representative for Eurovision 2026, has announced that she may withdraw from the competition. In an interview, the singer revealed that a wave of negative reactions and a lack of trust in her abilities have significantly reduced her motivation to participate, clarifying that a final decision will be made by the end of the day. This marks a dramatic development that could reshape the Eurovision 2026 landscape, coming just days after DARA’s official selection in ״Natsionalna Selektsiya 2026״. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Crisis Immediately After Selection DARA, who was chosen to represent Bulgaria at Eurovision 2026, addressed the social media backlash directly today (Monday). According to her, the harsh criticism directed at her went beyond legitimate musical debate and turned into personal attacks. “The most hurtful thing is the...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Bulgarian national broadcaster addresses rumors and explains the voting process in the local Eurovision national final, following online allegations of vote manipulation after the results were announced. On Saturday, DARA was announced as Bulgaria’s representative for Eurovision 2026. Shortly after the announcement, various allegations began circulating on social media regarding alleged manipulation of the public vote. Users shared images and tables containing unofficial voting data, alongside claims that the selected representative had not been chosen fairly and that the voting results did not reflect viewers’ actual preferences. These publications sparked public controversy and led to widespread speculation about how the voting process in the ״Natsionalna Selektsiya 2026״ was conducted. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In response to the allegations, the Bulgarian national broadcaster, BNT, issued an official statement yesterday (Sunday), emphasizing that information circulating on social media should not be considered credible. The national broadcaster clarified that the claims constitute fake news, and...