Bulgaria made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 and took victory at the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria.
Eurovision Song Contest
Bulgaria made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 in Kyiv, Ukraine and competed annually in the contest until 2013. Bulgaria returned to the contest between 2016 and 2018, 2020 and 2022, and again in 2026. Prior to DARA’s victory at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, Bulgaria’s best result came in 2017 when Kristian Kostov lost out on victory in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Bulgaria’s results in the contest to date are:
- 2005 – Kaffe – “Lorraine” – 19th (Semi-Final) – 49 points
- 2006 – Mariana Popova – “Let Me Cry” – 17th (Semi-Final) – 36 points
- 2007 – Elitsa & Stoyan – “Water” – 5th – 157 points
- 2008 – Deep Zone and Balthazar – “DJ, Take Me Away” – 11th (Semi-Final) – 56 points
- 2009 – Krassimir Avramov – “Illusion” – 16th (Semi-Final) – 7 points
- 2010 – Miro – “Angel si ti” – 15th (Semi-Final) – 19 points
- 2011 – Poli Genova – “Na inat” – 12th (Semi-Final) – 48 points
- 2012 – Sofi Marinova – “Love Unlimited” – 11th (Semi-Final) – 45 points
- 2013 – Elitsa & Stoyan – “Samo shampioni” – 12th (Semi-Final) – 45 points
- 2016 – Poli Genova – “If Love Was a Crime” – 4th – 307 points
- 2017 – Kristian Kostov – “Beautiful Mess” – 2nd – 615 points
- 2018 – Equinox – “Bones” – 14th – 166 points
- 2020 – Victoria – “Tears Getting Sober” – Contest cancelled
- 2021 – Victoria – “Growing Up is Getting Old” – 11th – 170 points
- 2022 – Intelligent Music Project – “Intention” – 16th (Semi-Final) – 29 points
- 2026 – DARA – “Bangaranga” – 1st – 516 points
Bulgaria’s Eurovision absences
Bulgaria has withdrawn from the Eurovision Song Contest on four occasions, each time citing financial difficulties at the broadcaster.
In 2013, BNT withdrew from competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 due to a cut in the broadcaster’s budget. Ahead of the 2015 contest the broadcaster again ruled out participation due to cost pressures.
In October 2018, despite growing success in the contest the board of BNT again opted to withdraw from Eurovision for 2019. The board stated that the “project far exceeds the financial capacity of BNT”.
Bulgaria again withdrew from the contest following the 2022 edition in Turin, Italy. Local media reported again that financial pressures were behind the withdrawal.
Follow all the latest news regarding Bulgaria here.
Bulgaria and other Eurovision family events
Eurovision Young Dancers
Bulgaria participated once in Eurovision Young Dancers. They competed in the 1991 edition of the contest in Helsinki, Finland, marking Bulgaria’s first appearance in any Eurovision competition. Diliana Nikiforova qualified for the final but placed outside the top 3. Bulgaria was also reported to be interested in participating in the cancelled 2009 edition. BNT also broadcast the 1989 and 1995 editions without competing.
Eurovision Young Musicians
Bulgaria participated once in Eurovision Young Musicians, being one of two countries to debut at the 2006 edition in Vienna, Austria. Ivan Szvetozarevo Gerasimov represented Bulgaria on the bassoon but did not qualify for the final. In 1990, BNT aired the contest for viewers without competing.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Bulgaria has participated seven times in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and hosted the 2015 edition of the contest in Sofia. The results of Bulgaria in the contest are:
- 2007 – Bon-Bon – “Bonbolandiya” – 7th – 86 points
- 2008 – Krestiana Kresteva – “Edna mechta” – 15th – 15 points
- 2011 – Ivan Ivanov – “Superhero” – 8th – 60 points
- 2014 – Krisia, Hasan and Ibrahim – “Planet of the Children” – 2nd – 147 points
- 2015 – Gabriela Yordanova and Ivan Stoyanov – “Colour of Hope” – 9th – 62 points
- 2016 – Lidia Ganeva – “Magical Day” – 9th – 161 points
- 2021 – Denislava and Martin – “Voice of Love” – 16th – 77 points
Eurovision Magic Circus Show
Bulgaria also participated in the Eurovision Magic Circus Show, they were one of three new broadcasters for the final edition of the show in 2013.
Bulgaria & Other European Broadcasting Union Competitions
Let the Peoples Sing
The contest was first held in 1961 by the BBC as an annual choral contest for choirs in the United Kingdom, since 1966 it has been a choral competition for choirs across Europe. Since the late 1970s, the European Broadcasting Union has organised the event with choirs allowed to compete from across the globe.
Bulgaria’s choirs in the contest are:
- 1968 – Rodna Pessen – 1st
- 1973 – Gara Iskar Cultural Center Chorus – 1st
- 2011 – Dragostin Folk – Finalist
- 2015 – Cosmic Voices Choir – Winner of the Open Category
- 2019 – “Fortissimo” Vocal Ensemble – Finalist in the Open Category. Contest aired on BNR and BNT.
- 2024 – BNR Children’s Choir – Finalist in the Children / Youth Category
Europe Sings
BNT was one of eight broadcasters to participate in Europe Sings in 2015. The non-competitive show brought together Europe’s best amateur choirs to Vienna.
During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.