Singing for Bulgaria in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is singer Dara.
The 27-year-old, whose real name is Darina Nikolaeva Yotova, will be representing her country in the final of this year’s competition which takes place in the Austrian city of Vienna on Saturday night (May 16).
DARA was selected by Bulgaria’s Eurovision body, Bulgarian National Television, after winning the 2026 Bulgarian national final, Natsionalnata Selektsiya. Bulgaria made it through the second semi-final during the week and will be performing fifth in the final.
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DARA is one of the most well-known pop musicians in her country and is said to have shaped the image of contemporary Bulgarian pop with her unique voice. She’s known for her commanding stage presence and unrestrained genre-blending.
Boasting hit songs Thunder, Call Me, and Mr. Rover, DARA has been dominating the charts ever since reaching the final of the Bulgarian edition of The X Factor in 2015.
Seen as a prominent figure in the modern Balkan music scene, DARA’s songs and videos have amassed over 80 million listens and views. She was a judge on The Voice of Bulgaria in 2021 and 2022.
Bulgaria are heading into the event with a chance of lifting the glass microphone trophy, with their odds of winning 28/1 ahead of the show, according to bookies Ladbrokes.
(Image: Getty Images)
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final takes place on Saturday, May 16. It will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer with Graham Norton hosting and commentating for UK viewers. On BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, Sara Cox and Rylan will be leading the commentary. Coverage across the BBC will start at 8pm.
The lyrics in full for Bangaranga
“Come alive. Surrender to the blinding lights. No one’s gonna sleep tonight. Welcome to the riot. I’m the bangarang. Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga. I’m the bangarang, bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga, I’m the bangarang. Blinding lights. Welcome to the riot
“I’m an angel. I’m a demon. I’m a psycho. For no reason. I’m a mover. I’m a teaser. I don’t follow. I’m the leader. Lemme hype ya, hype ya up. Lemme hype ya up. Imma imma. Let you get so hooked. Imma leave you shook
“Come alive. Surrender to the blinding lights. No one’s gonna sleep tonight. Welcome to the riot. I’m the bangarang, bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga. I’m the bangarang, bangaranga bangaranga, bangaranga, I’m the bangarang. Blinding lights. Welcome to the riot.
“Close to the edge I can feel it inside. Bodies on bodies and sparks ’bout to fly. I’m (oh, I’m) about to lose my mind (mind). I’m the bangarang, bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga. I’m the bangarang, bangaranga bangaranga, bangaranga, I’m the bangarang. Blinding lights. Welcome to the riot.
“I’m a rebel,I’m a danger. I’m a mover. For a freedom. Let me light you, light you up. Let me light you up. Come on, let me pull you in so deep. I am gone leave you weak. (I’m the bangarang). (I’m the bangarang). (I’m the bangarang).”