Thousands line Sofia streets to greet Eurovision winner DARA

DARA returned to central Sofia on May 19 for an official homecoming celebration after winning the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, according to Bulgarian National Television and local Bulgarian media. Sofia Municipality and Bulgarian National Television, or BNT, organized the event at Knyaz Alexander I Square, where thousands of people gathered to greet the singer after Bulgaria’s first-ever Eurovision victory. BNT said the celebration was billed as a “BANGARANGA PARTY,” named for the song that won in Vienna, and described Alexander I Battenberg Square as packed. Nova Television reported ahead of the event that the official ceremony was scheduled for 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday, May 19, at Knyaz Alexander I Square. ### Where exactly did Sofia stage the homecoming? (bntnews.bg) Knyaz Alexander I Square in central Sofia was the site of the official ceremony, according to Nova and BNT. BNT said Sofia Municipality and the broadcaster jointly organized the celebration, while Nova said the city had promised a musical party, a DJ set and an open-air event dedicated to DARA’s success. (bntnews.bg) Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev was among the officials tied to the event. Nova quoted Terziev’s Facebook message inviting people to gather, saying: “We are expecting you to welcome DARA together.” ### How big was the crowd, and who else welcomed her? Thousands of fans gathered in the square, BNT reported, while other outlets described the crowd more expansively. (bntnews.bg) BNT said “thousands” came to the city center, and its coverage described DARA being welcomed by fans in a packed square. Breitbart, in a separate report, said the crowd was in the “tens of thousands.” (nova.bg) Vasil Levski Airport in Sofia had already seen an earlier reception on Sunday, May 17, when DARA returned from Vienna. Nova reported that Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev and Mayor Terziev were among those who greeted her at the airport. Other reports described hundreds of fans there waving Bulgarian flags. ### What did DARA say on stage in Sofia? (bntnews.bg) DARA told the crowd she had not expected the scale of the welcome. BNT quoted her as saying: “I never expected anything like this at all. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! This means so much to me, and I will keep this moment for the rest of my life.” BNT also quoted its director general, Milena Milotinova, addressing the crowd from the square. (nova.bg) Milotinova said she was “happy to see” such a full square and thanked DARA and those involved in Bulgaria’s Eurovision campaign. ### How decisive was the Eurovision win that set this off? Eurovisionworld said DARA won the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna on May 17 with “Bangaranga,” scoring 516 points. (bntnews.bg) The site said Bulgaria led both the national juries with 204 points and the public vote with 312 points. AP reported after the final that DARA’s “Bangaranga” gave Bulgaria its first-ever Eurovision title. (bntnews.bg) BNT said the victory came after Bulgaria selected DARA and then chose “Bangaranga” through a national selection process involving both a jury and viewers. ### What comes next after Sofia’s celebration? Eurovisionworld said Bulgaria’s victory gives the country the right to host the next Eurovision Song Contest. (eurovisionworld.com) BNT’s coverage of the Sofia event also referred to Bulgaria preparing to host, as the broadcaster marked its role as Bulgaria’s member of the European Broadcasting Union. No host city or 2027 contest dates were announced in the sources reviewed by May 21. (apnews.com) The next concrete milestone is the formal planning process by BNT and Bulgarian authorities for Eurovision 2027. (bntnews.bg) (eurovisionworld.com)