Bulgaria won the 70th Eurovision Song Contest for the first time on Saturday night in Vienna. Singer Dara claimed victory with her party anthem “Bangaranga,” a catchy dance track featuring infectious beats and a tightly choreographed dance routine.
Although not among the favorites, Dara beat 24 other competitors to be crowned queen of the international singing extravaganza. In a nail-biting final, Bulgaria surged past Israel, which finished in second place, after points from national juries and a huge public worldwide vote were tallied. Meanwhile, the UK's Look Mum No Computer received just one point.
The kitsch pop music event, the world's biggest live music contest, was overshadowed by protests and controversy regarding the continued participation of Israel. The final was marked by a boycott from five countries over Gaza.