Thirty-nine countries are competing with the aim to lift the trophy in Malmö. The twenty-first country to be introduced is Bulgaria. The country debuted in 2005 and is yet to win the Eurovision Song Contest. This year the Bulgarian hopes will be carried by Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankulov.

Basic information

Performers: Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankulov
Song: Samo shampioni (Only champions)
Language: Bulgarian
Music: Elitsa Todorova, Christian Talev
Lyrics: Elitsa Todorova, Christian Talev

The song

This year’s multi-instrumental Bulgarian entry is about champions and victorious theme. The duo sings about a positive song for this Eurovision Song Contest.

Само шампиони,
само шампиони,

Прелитат високо и надалеко,
скачат и се смеят и сълзи се леят,
всичките юнаци, те са най добрите
смели в игрите силни във душите.

Само диви, само шампиони,
златни момци моми за милиони
Има ли млади, има ли луди,
цяло село дойде,
пейте не се бойте!

The performers

Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankulov are not new in the Eurovision scene. Infact they represented Bulgaria in 2007 and got the best results for the country in its history. In 2003 Elitsa Todorova began working with Bulgaria’s most popular and renowned drummer and percussionist Stoyan Yankulov. The unique Elitsa Todorova-Stoyan Yankulov duo turned into a phenomenon in no time. Elitsa Todorova develops a percussions-playing style of her own, combining quick obstinate rhythms on the tarambuka with synchronised tarambuka with synchronised playing and singing. The result is a mosaic of unique vocal movements and impeccable musical improvisations. The duo also released their second single entitled Earth.

The songwriters

This year’s Bulgarian entry is penned by Elitsa Todorova and Christian Talev. Elitsa Todorova was born in Varna. She studied music, specialising in authentic folklore singing and in percussions. Todorova worked at the State Dance and Music Ensemble in Varna, in the choir The Mystery of the Bulgarian voices, and the Cosmic Voices of Bulgaria choir where she performed authentic Bulgarian folk songs, and compositions in Yiddish and Sanskrit. Christian Talev is a young Bulgarian musician, producer and composer and is involved in the Eurovision scene for the very first time.

The national selection

Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankulov were internally selected by the Bulgarian broadcaster. The song was selected in a special show in which three potential songs were presented.

Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest

Bulgaria debuted in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest. After unsuccessful attempts in the first two years, Bulgaria made it to the final in 2007 and finished fifth overall. However, it remains the country’s only appearance in the final to date. Infact last year’s Bulgarian representative Sofi Marinova was just one place away from qualifying to the final.

Statistics

This will be Bulgaria’s ninth participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. For the second time throughout its history the country will be represented by a duo. Their song will be performed in Bulgarian.

Bulgarian vote in Eurovision

Bulgaria gave the most points to Greece throughout its history in the Eurovision Song Contest while Cyprus is the most country that voted for Bulgaria. Infact the island gave 63 points to Bulgaria.

The betting odds

According to oddschecker.com, the bettings for Bulgaria doesn’t look favourable. Bulgaria is currently standing at number 37 in the odds to win the Eurovision Song Contest while at number 16 in semi-final two.

Успех на България и Елица Тодорова и Стоян Янкулов и силно представяне в Malmö!

Videos

Preview clip

2007 participation – Water

Earth

Tomorrow another country will be introduced (hint – won the contest three times)

Have your say

You can rate the Bulgarian entry by voting in our poll

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You can view previous parts of this series by clicking here