Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time on Saturday (May 16) in a final overshadowed by five countries' boycott over Gaza, claiming a dramatic victory despite another big public vote for Israel that again secured it second place.

"This is unbelievable. I don't even know what's going on right now," Bulgaria's entrant Dara told a press conference after winning with her thumping, crowd-pleasing dance track "Bangaranga" that avoided politics altogether.

The song touches on themes of empowerment and surrendering to the night. It also left many puzzled as to its meaning.

"I want to thank everybody who felt the Bangaranga and who felt connected to the forests," Dara said before thanking her husband for giving her the push to take part.

"Bangaranga is a feeling that everybody gets in themselves. It's the moment that you choose to be in love and not fear," Dara said when asked to explain the song in the "green room" where artists await the results.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. BULGARIA'S'S 2026 EUROVISION WINNER, DARA, WALKING INTO PRESS CONFERENCE WITH TROPHY, HOLDING TROPHY UP, PARTIALLY BLOCKED AS EVERYONE STANDING, FILMING WITH PHONES

2. DARA SITTING DOWN

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BULGARIA'S 2026 EUROVISION WINNER, DARA, SAYING:

"I don't know how we are doing right now, but it's amazing! Thank you so much for all the support, I ... This is unbelievable, I don't even know what is going on right now. But I want to thank everybody who felt the Bangaranga and felt connected to the force."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BULGARIA'S 2026 EUROVISION WINNER, DARA, SAYING:

"I want to thank my husband because he was the one to push me to come to Eurovision because in the beginning I was not sure if i want to come or not. Because I had anxiety, and doubt with myself and he was the one that just pushed me, he was like: You need to go right now to Eurovision! You need to go!"

6. PEOPLE GATHERED PRESS CONFERENCE VENUE