Bulgaria Advances to Eurovision Grand Final with DARA’s “Bangaranga”

Bulgaria has secured a place in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest after singer DARA qualified during the second semi-final in Vienna with her performance of “Bangaranga.”

Representing Bulgaria as the opening act of the evening, DARA was the first performer to take the Eurovision stage during the live broadcast on BNT 1 on May 14. Her energetic staging, intense choreography, and polished vocal performance quickly drew attention during a semi-final that featured 15 competing countries fighting for the remaining places in Saturday’s final.

Following a combination of audience voting and jury evaluations, Bulgaria advanced together with Ukraine, Norway, Australia, Romania, Malta, Cyprus, Albania, Denmark, and the Czech Republic. Five countries failed to qualify from the second semi-final, including Armenia, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, and Latvia.

Commentators and viewers highlighted DARA’s performance as one of the evening’s standout moments, with “Bangaranga” delivering a fast-paced and visually dynamic show that emphasized both choreography and stage presence. Her appearance marked Bulgaria’s return to the Eurovision final, where she will perform once again on May 16.

The Eurovision competition began earlier this week with the first semi-final on May 12, which determined another group of finalists. Greece, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Moldova, Israel, Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania, and Poland had already secured their places in the final round.

Alongside the countries selected through the semi-finals, the so-called “Big Five” nations automatically qualify for the final each year. This year those countries are France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, while Spain is absent due to a boycott, and Austria enters the final directly as the host nation.

The Eurovision grand final will take place in Vienna on Saturday, May 16, and will be broadcast live in Bulgaria on BNT 1 starting at 10 p.m.