{"id":543074,"date":"2026-05-17T05:38:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T02:38:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reform.news\/?p=543074"},"modified":"2026-05-17T07:13:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T04:13:52","slug":"bulgaria-s-historic-triumph-and-the-biggest-boycott-how-the-jubilee-eurovision-2026-took-place-in-vienna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/bulgaria-s-historic-triumph-and-the-biggest-boycott-how-the-jubilee-eurovision-2026-took-place-in-vienna","title":{"rendered":"Bulgaria\u2019s Historic Triumph and the Biggest Boycott: How the Jubilee Eurovision 2026 Took Place in Vienna"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div>\n<p>The grand final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest has ended at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in the Austrian capital. The jubilee show went down in history not only because of Bulgaria\u2019s unexpected victory and a parade of past stars, but also because of the contest\u2019s biggest political crisis in half a century.<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s winner was Bulgaria, which bookmakers had not even considered a top favorite. Israel took second place.<\/p>\n<h3>The Fire of \u201cBangaranga\u201d<\/h3>\n<p>Bulgarian singer <b>DARA<\/b> (<b>Darina Yotova<\/b>) literally brought the house down with her fiery dance-pop hit \u201cBangaranga.\u201d Its unusual choreography and powerful beat won over both national juries and viewers around the world, giving the country a record 516 points (312 from viewers and 204 from juries). It was Bulgaria\u2019s first victory in the entire history of its participation in the contest.<\/p>\n<p>The song, which combines drum and bass with Bulgarian brass instruments, can be described as a manifesto of inner freedom. DARA sings about rebellion, a wild passion for life, temptation and dancing until one\u2019s pulse is gone. The lyrics call for living life to the fullest here and now. It was this primal energy, combined with a modern club Balkan sound, that broke through to European viewers.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_543014\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-543014\" style=\"width: 2081px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-543014 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.59.16.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2081\" height=\"882\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.59.16.png 2081w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.59.16-300x127.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.59.16-1200x509.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.59.16-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.59.16-1536x651.png 1536w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.59.16-2048x868.png 2048w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.59.16-870x369.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2081px) 100vw, 2081px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-543014\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bulgarian singer DARA. Photo: screenshot from the broadcast.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_77351\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EltgrumKJfk?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=ru&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=0&#038;playsinline=1&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;disablekb=0&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Suspense Until the Last Minute<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It is worth noting that the battle for the crystal microphone remained tense until the very end.<\/p>\n<p>Second place went to Israel\u2019s representative, <b>Noam Bettan<\/b>, with the song \u201cMichelle.\u201d His track received enormous support \u2014 220 points from the public and 343 points in total.<\/p>\n<p>Third place went to Romanian performer <b>Alexandra C\u0103pit\u0103nescu<\/b> with the song \u201cChoke Me,\u201d which scored 296 points.<\/p>\n<p>The top five were rounded out by Australia, represented by pop diva <b>Delta Goodrem<\/b>, and Italy, represented this year by Italian audience favorite <b>Sal Da Vinci<\/b> with the very stylish ballad \u201cPer sempre s\u00ec.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_543017\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-543017\" style=\"width: 1906px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-543017 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.27.36.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1906\" height=\"822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.27.36.png 1906w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.27.36-300x129.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.27.36-1200x518.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.27.36-768x331.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.27.36-1536x662.png 1536w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.27.36-870x375.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1906px) 100vw, 1906px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-543017\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ukrainian singer Leleka placed ninth in the contest with the song \u201cRidnym.\u201d Photo: screenshot from the broadcast.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Parade of Stars: Rybak, Lordi and Ruslana Back on Stage<\/h3>\n<p>Since this was the 70th, jubilee contest, the organizers gave viewers a real treat and brought together a whole cohort of legends from previous years on the Wiener Stadthalle stage. But there was a twist: the stars performed not their own songs, but famous hits by their Eurovision colleagues.<\/p>\n<p>Favorites of Eastern European audiences also received a warm welcome in the hall: the medley featured <b>Verka Serduchka<\/b>, <b>Alexander Rybak<\/b> and <b>Ruslana<\/b> \u2014 in particular, the Ukrainian singer performed <b>Loreen<\/b>\u2019s \u201cEuphoria.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alexander Rybak came on stage with his trademark violin, but instead of \u201cFairytale\u201d performed a cover version of the 1968 track \u201cCongratulations.\u201d Verka Serduchka performed the Italian hit \u201cNel blu, dipinto di blu.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The medley also featured the famous <b>Lordi<\/b>, <b>Erika Vikman<\/b>, <b>Max Mutzke<\/b> and Maltese singer <b>Miriana Conte<\/b>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_543012\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-543012\" style=\"width: 2064px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-543012 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.42.01.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2064\" height=\"871\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.42.01.png 2064w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.42.01-300x127.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.42.01-1200x506.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.42.01-768x324.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.42.01-1536x648.png 1536w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.42.01-2048x864.png 2048w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.42.01-870x367.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2064px) 100vw, 2064px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-543012\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Finland\u2019s Lordi at Eurovision 2026 performed a cover of \u201cSave Your Kisses for Me\u201d from 1976.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_543013\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-543013\" style=\"width: 2059px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-543013 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.44.19.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2059\" height=\"903\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.44.19.png 2059w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.44.19-300x132.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.44.19-1200x526.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.44.19-768x337.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.44.19-1536x674.png 1536w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.44.19-2048x898.png 2048w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-03.44.19-870x382.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2059px) 100vw, 2059px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-543013\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Alexander Rybak sang \u201cCongratulations\u201d (1968).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>What Are Critics Saying?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Music experts are unanimous that Eurovision 2026 showed a high musical standard. Even without the jubilee features, the lineup itself was very strong \u2014 from dramatic ballads to high-quality club electronica. Critics emphasize that the contest has finally moved away from its \u201cfreak show\u201d reputation and turned into a major platform for showcasing cutting-edge pop industry trends and sophisticated visual technologies. The stadium sound and lighting in Vienna were described as \u201cflawless.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_543015\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-543015\" style=\"width: 1913px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-543015 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.22.08.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1913\" height=\"945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.22.08.png 1913w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.22.08-300x148.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.22.08-1200x593.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.22.08-768x379.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.22.08-1536x759.png 1536w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snimok-ekrana-2026-05-17-v-04.22.08-810x400.png 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1913px) 100vw, 1913px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-543015\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Israel\u2019s representative Noam Bettan. Photo: screenshot from the broadcast.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Politics Could Not Be Avoided: The Biggest Boycott in History<\/h3>\n<p>Nevertheless, the celebration of music took place under the shadow of a serious political scandal. This contest faced the largest demarche by participating countries since 1970.<\/p>\n<p>Five states \u2014 Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia \u2014 officially refused to take part in the contest in protest against Israel\u2019s presence amid the war in Gaza. The public broadcasters of these countries said they considered participation \u201cunacceptable in connection with the humanitarian crisis.\u201d As a result, the number of participating countries fell to 35, the lowest in 23 years, dealing a serious blow to the European Broadcasting Union\u2019s television ratings.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the boycott and protests outside the Wiener Stadthalle, Israel\u2019s representative Noam Bettan managed to win second place: his song received high scores precisely thanks to support from European viewers in the vote.<\/p>\n<p>The next Eurovision 2027 is officially heading to Sofia.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"info\"><p><strong>Subscribe to <a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/cult_front\">Reform.news cultural news<\/a> on Telegram<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The grand final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest has ended at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in the Austrian capital. The jubilee show went down in history not only because of Bulgaria\u2019s unexpected victory and a parade of past stars, but also because of the contest\u2019s biggest political crisis in half a century. This year\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":543073,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sharing_image":{"poster":"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/6a094082f2b04.jpg","width":1200,"height":630,"template":"691142dd","mode":"auto"},"_sharing_image_fieldset":{"dTVKfmI95PYT":"Bulgaria\u2019s Historic Triumph and the Biggest Boycott: How the Jubilee Eurovision 2026 Took Place in Vienna"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[142375,142339,142338],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-543074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-main","category-news"],"wps_subtitle":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543074","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=543074"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543074\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/543073"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=543074"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=543074"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=543074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}