Kirkorovs Plātās par Eirovīzijas Uzvaru
Bulgarian singer Dara has publicly rejected claims by Russian performer Philipp Kirkorov, who asserted that his influence and financial arrangements secured Bulgaria’s Eurovision 2026 victory. While Kirkorov claims he arranged sponsorship for the national broadcaster BNT, Dara attributes the win to her own team and the song’s origins in 2023.
Why is Philipp Kirkorov claiming credit for Bulgaria’s win?
Philipp Kirkorov posted a lengthy social media update claiming he was the catalyst for Bulgaria’s return to the contest. He noted that Bulgaria had been absent from Eurovision for six years because the national broadcaster, BNT, lacked sufficient funds.
According to the report, Kirkorov stated he contacted BNT CEO Emil Koshlyukov last year. He claims to have secured an unnamed investor to sponsor Bulgaria’s participation in the 2026 contest.
Kirkorov further alleged that his production company, “Dream Team,” helped Dara prepare for her performance. He described the move as a “Eurovision deal” timed to coincide with his father’s birthday, noting that Bulgaria is his father’s birthplace. “I am spiritually satisfied. I won this contest,” Kirkorov wrote.
How did Dara respond to the allegations?
Dara dismissed Kirkorov’s claims as untrue. She specifically countered the idea that the winning entry was a recent “deal” by clarifying the timeline of her song, “Bangaranga.”
“With all due respect, the song ‘Bangaranga’ was written in 2023 at a songwriting camp in Sofia,” Dara stated. This timeline directly contradicts the suggestion that the victory was curated by Kirkorov’s recent interventions.
The singer credited her success to the hard work of her own team, “Virginia Records,” as well as BNT and various international producers.
What could happen next in this dispute?
The disagreement may lead to further public clarifications from BNT regarding the actual nature of their 2026 funding. Since Kirkorov named CEO Emil Koshlyukov specifically, the broadcaster could be pressured to confirm or deny the existence of the unnamed investor.
Additionally, “Virginia Records” might provide more documentation regarding the 2023 songwriting camp to further distance the win from Kirkorov’s “Dream Team” claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Dara credit for her Eurovision victory?
Dara credits her team at “Virginia Records,” the national broadcaster BNT, and international producers.
What was Kirkorov’s specific claim regarding BNT?
Kirkorov claimed he contacted BNT CEO Emil Koshlyukov and found an unnamed investor to sponsor Bulgaria’s 2026 participation after a six-year absence due to lack of funds.
When was the winning song “Bangaranga” written?
According to Dara, the song was written in 2023 during a songwriting camp in Sofia.
Do you think behind-the-scenes sponsorship should be credited alongside artistic achievement in international competitions?