Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time on Sunday in a final overshadowed by five countries' boycott over Gaza, claiming a dramatic victory despite another big public vote for Israel that secured it second place.
The garish and usually good-natured competition involving pop acts from countries across Europe and beyond, now in its 70th year, was plunged into crisis by a dispute over Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
"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."
“I really loved the experience.
It was amazing.
I’m so happy Bulgaria won," said Belgian fan Sauvage Lea who watched the contest in a bar in Rome. “I just didn’t want France and Israel to win.
It was my only option and Bulgaria did an amazing job.”
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