Bulgaria's Historic Victory at Eurovision 2024
Bulgaria made history by winning the Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday with Dara’s energetic track "Bangaranga," securing the title at the 70th edition of the world’s most-watched live televised music event. The victory marked a significant milestone for the country, which had missed the last three contests but finally claimed its first-ever win in Vienna. The competition ended with Bulgaria taking the top spot, pushing Israel into second place and Romania into third.
Pop singer Darina Yotova, known as Dara, was not among the initial favorites going into the contest. However, her strong performance in the semi-finals, highlighted by highly choreographed dance routines, helped her gain momentum. “Everything is possible: Bulgaria just won Eurovision!” Dara said during a press conference. “I really like breaking rules. I'm really good with following my rules — not anybody else's. We wanted to give to the audience something new and fresh, something that is not expected.”
A Story of Talent and Determination
Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov praised the win on Facebook, calling it a “magnificent story of immense talent, tireless effort, and faith in success, against all criticism.” The final took place at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, where around 10,000 fans gathered to witness the event. As always, the contest was not just about music but also reflected the geopolitical tensions surrounding it.
Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia staged the largest political boycott in Eurovision history due to Israel's participation, citing concerns over the war in Gaza. Despite this, Israel's Noam Bettan initially seemed poised to win with his song "Michelle." However, Bulgaria's televote points ultimately secured the victory, with the country finishing with 516 points, ahead of Israel’s 343, Romania’s 296, Australia’s 287, Italy’s 281, and Finland’s 279.
This was the second year in a row that Israel finished as runners-up. JJ, who won Eurovision 2025 for Austria with "Wasted Love," handed over the trophy to Dara. JJ opened the show with a nod to Austria’s musical heritage, performing the "Queen of the Night" aria from Mozart’s "The Magic Flute."
Memorable Performances and Controversies
Dara described "Bangaranga" as a feeling that everyone carries within themselves. “It's the moment that you choose to lead through love and not fear, and this is a special energy that I know everybody has got in themselves,” she said as the votes were being counted.
Fans exiting the arena celebrated Dara’s win. “I didn’t like the song at first, but I saw the performance, and I was stunned,” said Katerina, a Greek Eurovision fan.
The competition featured several standout performances. The Finnish duo Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen, with their song "Liekinheitin" (Flamethrower), were bookmakers' favorites. Lampenius delivered a powerful violin solo, shredding her bow as she reached the highest notes.
Romanian singer Alexandra Capitanescu faced controversy with her heavy metal song "Choke Me," which included the repeated lyric “I want you to choke me.” Meanwhile, Australia’s Delta Goodrem came in fourth with "Eclipse," a performance filled with dramatic moments and a soaring high note.
Other notable acts included Serbian metallers Lavina, whose growls left a lasting impression, Czech Republic’s Daniel Zizka navigating a hall of mirrors, and Lithuania’s Lion Ceccah, who brought an air of mystery with his silver-painted outfit.
Protests and Political Tensions
The contest was not without its controversies. Earlier in the day, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched outside the venue, chanting “boycott Eurovision” and carrying banners reading “Don’t celebrate genocide.” Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, traditionally a major supporter of Eurovision, boycotted the event and refused to screen the show. The broadcaster displayed a message stating, “The Eurovision Song Contest is a competition, but human rights are not. There is no room for indifference. Peace and justice for Palestine.”
Belgian broadcaster VRT also expressed concerns, stating it would likely not participate in next year’s contest if the European Broadcasting Union did not hold a direct vote on Israel’s participation.
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