Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time 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.
Acts from 25 countries took the stage at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna to battle for the continent's pop crown on Saturday (Sunday AEST), with tight security and rainy weather failing to dent the enthusiasm of the fans - or that of the critics who think Israel should not have been invited to the party.
Bulgaria's Bangaranga, sung by female artist Dara, a thumping, crowd-pleasing dance track, avoided politics altogether, touching on themes of empowerment and surrendering to the night.
Her victory ended Delta Goodrem's hopes of notching up an inaugural win for Australia but the pop princess showed what a diva should be like with her slick mid-tempo ballad Eclipse - and a bravura performance that saw her raised into the air above a glittery piano.
Dara's song's infectious beats and tightly choreographed dance routine proved a hit with both national juries and viewers who together decide the vote.
The garish and usually good-natured competition involving pop acts from countries across Europe and beyond, now in its 70th year, has been plunged into crisis by a dispute over Israel's military offensive in Gaza, a response to the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
Israel's effort, trilingual love song Michelle sung by Noam Bettan, was notable for courting less controversy than its entry last year, which was sung by a survivor of the October 7 attack.
Romania's Alexandra C?pit?nescu came third with her song Choke Me.
Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland boycotted in protest against Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
Hours before the final was to get under way, several thousand people took to the streets in Vienna to protest Israel taking part.
A pro-Palestinian protest just before the final began led to a large police operation in the Austrian capital. Fourteen people were arrested.
According to Eurovision tradition, the competition next year will now be held in Bulgaria.
The head of the Eurovision Song Contest had urged viewers to put politics aside and enjoy the "brilliant, wonderful, heartfelt show" that is the competition's grand final.
Eurovision director Martin Green said the contest was a chance for a few hours to "close the curtains to the outside world and dream that something else is possible".
For 70 years Eurovision has given "voice to the voiceless" and celebrated marginalised communities, he told a news conference.
with dpa and reuters
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