Crowds of enthusiastic supporters carrying Bulgarian flags gathered to celebrate Eurovision champion Dara as she touched down in her homeland Sunday.
Looking exhausted yet joyful, the 27-year-old performer stepped off the plane at Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport holding her Eurovision trophy high. The country’s leading TV networks interrupted their scheduled programming to broadcast the airport celebration live.
“This award marks the beginning of my future international career,” Dara said.
The artist claimed Bulgaria’s historic first Eurovision victory Saturday night in Vienna with her upbeat dance track “Bangaranga,” marking a milestone for the southeastern European nation in the annual competition.
“We have done something great for Bulgarian music, and I hope this sends a message that Bulgaria’s performers and artists deserve stronger support,” Dara said.
She described Bulgaria as “an exceptionally talented nation that will continue to receive more and more attention.”
The performer, born Darina Yotova, triumphed over 24 rival acts in Saturday evening’s championship round of the continental music showcase. Her song’s catchy rhythms and precisely coordinated dance performance resonated with both professional judges from participating nations and television audiences worldwide, whose combined voting determines the champion.
Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev joined other dignitaries welcoming the star at the airport. Terziev announced the capital stands prepared to stage the competition’s next installment in 2027, coinciding with Bulgaria’s 20th anniversary of European Union membership.
Government officials across the Balkan nation expressed collective national celebration.
Parliamentary speaker Mihaela Dotsova described Dara’s achievement as an “inspiration for the nation,” while President Iliana Yotova characterized it as a “triumph for Bulgaria” and Prime Minister Rumen Radev declared it “a victory with global resonance.”
