Celebrations sweep social media after Bulgaria’s Eurovision 2026 victory

Social media filled with celebratory messages after Bulgaria’s victory at the Eurovision Song Contest. Politicians, celebrities and fans shared congratulatory posts, uploading videos and photographs of winner DARA, while Bulgarian flags, Reels and Stories spread rapidly across online platforms.

Bulgarian singer DARA (Darina Yotova) won the contest with a total of 516 points, including 312 points from the public vote and 204 from the international jury. The result marks Bulgaria’s first victory in Eurovision history and secures the country the right to host the next edition of the contest.

Among the first to congratulate DARA on Facebook was legendary Bulgarian pop singer Lili Ivanova:

“A historic success for Bulgaria!
Congratulations to the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest – the young and highly talented Bulgarian singer DARA / Darina Yotova!
Dear Dara, I sincerely wish you many, many more successes!
With all my respect,
Lili Ivanova.”

President Iliana Iotova congratulated DARA, her team and the Bulgarian National Television on the Eurovision win. In a Facebook post on Sunday, she wrote: “Triumph for Dara! Triumph for Bulgaria at Eurovision!”

“Thank you for the powerful emotions and inspiration,” she added. “Eurovision Song Contest, welcome to Bulgaria!”

Dara is further proof that Bulgaria can win, Prime Minister Rumen Radev wrote on his official Facebook profile on Sunday after Bulgaria won this year’s edition of Eurovision.

“A Bulgarian victory with global resonance - this is what Darina Yotova brought us at Eurovision,” he wrote. “Congratulations to the girl who, with her talent and professionalism, broke through all the complex considerations and prejudices of the voting.

In a post on Facebook, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov hailed a “magnificent story of immense talent, tireless effort, and faith in success, against all criticism”.

Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova said on social media that Dara was Bulgaria’s greatest young ambassador and her victory proved that “talent, courage and hard work” could help meet any goal.

The Ivan Vazov National Theatre also reacted on its Facebook page, congratulating DARA on her “historic victory at Eurovision 2026” and praising her “unstoppable energy, stage presence and the way she brought Bulgaria to the top.”

“Bravo, girl! All Bulgaria is proud of you!” wrote Albanian opera prima with Bulgarian roots Ramona Tullumani.

Bulgarian diplomatic missions around the world, politicians, students and members of Bulgarian communities abroad also shared congratulatory messages following the victory.

“Bulgarians, I feel as I did in the summer of 1994! But even better! Because now we are FIRST! Thank you, DARA!” wrote Rayna Mandzhukova, executive director of Bulgaria’s Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, who had actively encouraged Bulgarian communities overseas to support the country’s Eurovision entry ahead of the contest.

In a Facebook post, Zornitsa Gogan, chair of the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad, wrote: “She did it! DARA!!! An energy tornado, a dance explosion, a visual delight, a vocal storm. It’s time for Bangaranga. Bulgaria’s incredible DARA! The whole world went Bangaranga! Absolutely incredible! DARA.”

Milen Mitev, director general of Bulgarian National Radio, published a photograph with DARA shortly after the Eurovision 2026 results were announced: “And… victory for Bulgaria and DARA…”

International media outlets also reported on Bulgaria’s victory at the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.

CNN wrote on Facebook: “Bulgaria’s Dara has triumphed at this year’s Eurovision following a politically charged edition of the contest.”

Sky News reported: “The world’s biggest music competition – the Eurovision Song Contest – took place in Vienna, and Bulgaria was crowned the winner.”

The official Eurovision social media channels added:

“That WINNER feeling is sweet! We extend a huge congratulations to Bulgaria on achieving its very first Eurovision victory, thanks to Bangaranga by DARA.”

"Congratulations to the #Eurovision2026 winner, the BANGARANGA queen herself: @darnadude of Bulgaria!!!" MTV wrote on its official Instagram page.

Reported by Krasimir Martinov

Edited and posted in English by E. Radkova