Dara meets Bulgarian PM Rumen Radev

Singer Dara met Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev at the Council of Ministers in Sofia on May 22, days after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 for Bulgaria with “Bangaranga.” The meeting brought together government officials, Bulgarian National Television representatives and Dara’s team to discuss preparations tied to Bulgaria’s right to host Eurovision 2027. Radio Bulgaria reported that Radev told the singer she had already taken “the first step” toward bringing next year’s contest to Bulgaria. BTA reported that Dara used the meeting to praise Bulgaria’s potential while also calling for “real change.” ### Why was Dara at the Council of Ministers? The May 22 meeting in Sofia followed Dara’s victory in Vienna on May 17, when she delivered Bulgaria’s first-ever Eurovision win. The European Broadcasting Union said Dara won the 70th edition of the contest for broadcaster BNT with “Bangaranga.” Radio Bulgaria reported that Radev received Dara at the Council of Ministers after her return to Bulgaria and linked the meeting directly to the prospect of hosting Eurovision 2027. According to the outlet, he told her that with the win she had made the first move toward bringing the contest to Bulgaria. ### What did Radev say about hosting Eurovision 2027? Rumen Radev said Dara’s victory had already pushed Bulgaria into planning for the next contest, according to Radio Bulgaria and follow-up Eurovision coverage citing the meeting. (ebu.ch) Those reports said the prime minister framed the discussion as an early step in Bulgaria’s hosting effort and praised the singer’s result as a national achievement. Bulgaria earned the right to stage the 2027 contest because Eurovision’s winner traditionally hosts the following year through its national broadcaster, unless organizers decide otherwise. (bnrnews.bg) The EBU identified Bulgaria’s 2026 winning broadcaster as BNT. ### What did Dara say in the meeting? BTA reported that Dara told Radev that “Bulgaria is a wonderful country with great potential,” and said she wanted to see that potential realized. (bnrnews.bg) The news agency said she also called for “real change” in the country, referring to the kind of change people at protests had wanted. The same BTA report said Dara used the meeting to connect her Eurovision win to a broader civic message rather than treating it only as a music victory. (ebu.ch) BTA described the exchange as part of the official reception held at the Council of Ministers on Friday. ### What is the museum access she was given? The National Ethnographic Museum in Sofia granted Dara lifetime free access to its exhibitions, events and halls for future creative projects, BTA reported on May 22. (bta.bg) The institution is part of the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies with Ethnographic Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. BTA said the offer covers Dara’s future artistic work and came as Bulgarian cultural institutions moved to recognize her Eurovision win. The gesture followed public congratulations from officials including Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev after the contest. ### How big was Dara’s Eurovision win? BTA reported that Dara scored 516 points with “Bangaranga,” giving Bulgaria its first Eurovision title. (bta.bg) The agency said the winning margin over second place was 173 points. The Associated Press and other outlets also described the result as Bulgaria’s first win in the competition’s history. Dara, 27, arrived back in Sofia earlier this week to a high-profile public welcome, according to coverage carried by Yahoo from AP. (bta.bg) ### What happens next for Bulgaria? The next formal step is the organization of Eurovision 2027 through Bulgaria’s national broadcaster, BNT, working with the European Broadcasting Union, which oversees the contest. (bta.bg) The EBU’s May 17 release naming BNT as the winning broadcaster establishes the institutional route for the 2027 event. In the meantime, Dara’s post-victory schedule is continuing in Bulgaria. (apnews.com) The Council of Ministers meeting took place on May 22, and the museum access announced the same day gives her a standing venue option for future projects as officials and broadcasters begin work tied to the 2027 contest. (bta.bg) (ebu.ch)