Dara Wins Eurovision 2026 for Bulgaria
Bulgarian singer Dara, whose real name is Daryna Yotova, took the top prize at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in 2026 with her track "Bangaranga." The grand final took place overnight on May 17 in Vienna. Ukraine’s representative, Leleka, performed her song "Ridnym" and placed ninth with 221 points.
This victory marks Bulgaria’s first-ever win at Eurovision—a landmark moment for the country, which returned to the competition in 2026 after a four-year absence. In the final, Dara earned 204 points from the juries and 312 points from the televote. Her staging was directed by Fredrik Rydman, who previously led to victory:
- Sweden in 2015
- Finland in 2023
- Switzerland in 2024
Before 2026, Bulgaria’s best result was a second-place finish in 2017, when Kristian Kostov represented the country with "Beautiful Mess."
Leleka’s Performance at the Contest
Leleka—whose real name is Viktoriia Korniikova—sang "Ridnym" and performed seventh in the final. Her staging was directed by Illia Dutsyk. The costume was designed by Liliia Litkovska, with styling by Marharyta Shekel. On stage, Leleka was accompanied by bandurist Yaroslav Dzhus, who played a Kharkiv-style bandura.
Ukraine received 54 points from the juries, including a maximum 12 from Switzerland and 10 from Azerbaijan. After the jury vote, Ukraine sat in 15th place, but Leleka earned 167 points from the televote, lifting her to ninth in the final standings.
Leleka advanced to the final after a strong showing in the second semi-final, where she ranked second in the televote. Her performance also received the most likes on the official Eurovision YouTube channel among all second semi-final acts.
During the final at the Wiener Stadthalle, an interval act featured performances from:
- Ruslana, winner of 2004
- Verka Serduchka, silver medalist in 2007
- Max Mutzke (Germany, 2004)
- Lordi (Finland, 2006)
- Alexander Rybak (Norway, 2009)
- Kristian Kostov (Bulgaria, 2017)
- Erika Vikman (Finland, 2025)
- Miriana Conte (Malta, 2025)
'Glory to Ukraine!'—Leleka closed her performance with these words, leaving a vivid impression on this year’s contest.
Dara’s win at Eurovision 2026 highlights the resurgence of Bulgaria’s music scene on the global stage after a prolonged hiatus. This achievement could boost interest in Bulgarian culture and arts while inspiring a new generation of artists in the country. Meanwhile, Leleka’s performance was a success, underscoring Ukraine’s strong presence in the European music landscape and potentially enhancing the nation’s international image. Both artists showcased high levels of preparation and creativity, which were key to their success at the competition.
As Bulgaria celebrates its historic victory at Eurovision 2026, it's also worth noting the impressive performance of Ukraine's Leleka, who finished in ninth place. Her captivating rendition of "Ridnym" not only showcased her talent but also highlighted the strong competition this year. To learn more about Leleka's journey and her performance in the grand final, check out our detailed coverage here.