Bulgaria welcomed Eurovision winner Dara back to Sofia on Sunday, drawing hundreds of cheering fans waving Bulgarian flags to Vasil Levski Airport. The 27-year-old singer arrived looking tired but smiling, and waved the Eurovision trophy as Bulgaria’s major television stations adjusted their programming to air live coverage from the airport.
Dara’s comments at the airport framed the win as a springboard for what comes next. “This award marks the beginning of my future international career,” Dara said as she returned home.
She also tied the personal milestone to the broader outlook for Bulgarian music. Dara said that “We have done something great for Bulgarian music, and I hope this sends a message that Bulgaria’s performers and artists deserve stronger support,” adding that she viewed Bulgaria as “an exceptionally talented nation that will continue to receive more and more attention.”
The win capped a run that the announcement credited to a national final on Saturday, when Dara—whose real name is Darina Yotova—won the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Her party anthem “Bangaranga” beat 24 other competitors during the grand final, with votes from participating countries’ juries and viewers worldwide deciding the winner.
Sofia’s mayor, Vassil Terziev, was among officials at the airport. Terziev said that the capital city is ready to host the next edition of the European song contest in 2027, when Bulgaria will mark the 20th anniversary of joining the European Union.
Bulgarian political leaders also joined the homecoming celebrations. Parliamentary speaker Mihaela Dotsova called Dara’s win an “inspiration for the nation,” President Iliana Yotova said it was a “triumph for Bulgaria,” and Prime Minister Rumen Radev proclaimed it “a victory with global resonance.”