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<\/p>\nToday we start with the second rehearsals of the countries of the Second Semi-Final. First on stage will be Bulgaria, represented this year by superstar DARA and the song \u201cBanagaranga\u201c, a particularly dynamic song, with which she hopes for the best possible result for her country, which returns to the contest.<\/p>\n
The song was composed by Anne Judith Stokke Wik, Darina Yotova, Monoir and the Greek songwriter and music producer Dimitris Kontopoulos!<\/p>\n
Who is Dara<\/p>\n
Dara (born Darina Yotova in Varna) rose to fame in 2015 after finishing third in the Bulgarian version of The X Factor, mentored by Krisko. She quickly signed with Virginia Records and launched her career with hit singles such as \u201cK\u2019vo ne chu,\u201d \u201cRodena takava,\u201d and \u201cNedei.\u201d Alongside her music success, she appeared on shows like Kato dve kapki voda and became a coach on The Voice of Bulgaria, where she achieved notable success with two winning contestants. In 2022, she released her debut album \u201cRodena takava,\u201d and in 2024 she finished as runner-up on Dancing Stars.<\/p>\n
In 2026, Dara was selected to represent Bulgaria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 after winning the national selection with her song \u201cBangaranga.\u201d Despite briefly considering withdrawal, she confirmed her participation, with staging directed by Fredrik Rydman, known for his work on several high-profile Eurovision performances.\u0399\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03c1\u03af\u03b1 Eurovision<\/p>\n
The rehearsal<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve got an eye-opening start to the Second Semi-Final ahead of us on Thursday 14 May, thanks to DARA and her team of dancers. The opening sequence of the staging brings to mind two iconic Eurovision performances from recent years \u2014 Cha Cha Cha and Dizzy. But that\u2019s mainly in a WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON WITH THOSE DANCERS kinda way. They\u2019ve gone Bangaranga berserk!\u0391\u03c0\u03bf\u03c4\u03b5\u03bb\u03ad\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1 Eurovision 2026<\/p>\n
It can all be explained by the ancient Bulgarian Kukeri tradition that the song is inspired by \u2014 the act of driving away evil spirits and cleansing dark energy. And when you see the faces and movements of these dancers, you\u2019ll understand why something, ANYTHING, had to be done.<\/p>\n
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Source: Eurovisiontv<\/p>\n
DARA is the heroine assigned to perform the ritual. She\u2019d dressed for the occasion in a black skirt, black belt and black knee-high boots, with a short pink top and elbow-length pink gloves. The two colours are brought together via a fur trim which appears on both the belt and the gloves.<\/p>\n
As the intensity of the \u2018home\u2019 setting builds, DARA breaks free, leading her dancers out with her. The Bulgarian delegation have plonked this home right onto the Wiener Stadthalle stage, Wizard of Oz style, and there\u2019s yet more witchcraft to come! The next part of the song, which has been musically revamped, is an explosive display that signifies the darkness being expelled, in which the choreography switches lanes and reveals more synced formations.<\/p>\n
Bulgaria\u2019s Dress Rehearsal is scheduled for Wednesday 13 of May!<\/p>\n
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