Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012

Bŭlgarskata pesen v „Evroviziya 2012” (The Bulgarian song in Eurovision 2012) was the national final format developed by BNT which determined the artist and song that would represent Bulgaria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.[4] The competition consisted of a semi-final on 14 January 2012 and a final on 29 February 2012. Both shows were hosted by Milenita, Alexander Sano and Dragomir Draganov and broadcast on BNT 1 as well as online via the broadcaster's website bnt.bg.[5] The final was also streamed online at the official Eurovision Song Contest website eurovision.tv.[6]

The selection of the competing entries for the national final and ultimately the Bulgarian Eurovision entry took place over three rounds. The first round involved a 24-member committee consisting of music professionals, members of the media and advertising agency representatives, titled Academy, shortlisting entries from the received submissions. The second round was a live audition of the shortlisted entries that took place on 23 and 24 November 2011. The Academy selected 22 semi-finalists to proceed to the third round, the televised national final. The semi-final of the competition featured the twenty-two competing entries and the votes of the Academy as well as public televoting each selected one entry to advance to the final. An additional ten qualifiers qualified based on the combined votes from the Academy and public. In the final, the twelve competing entries were voted upon by the 50/50 combination of the Academy and public in order to select the winner. In the event of a tie, the entry that receives the highest score from the public was declared the winner.[3][7]

On 9 September 2011, BNT opened a submission period for artists and songwriters to submit their entries until 11 November 2011. Songs were required to contain partial Bulgarian involvement.[8] By the end of the deadline, the broadcaster received 64 entries. On 16 November 2011, the 33 artists and songs shortlisted by the Academy were announced.[9] The live audition round took place on 23 and 24 November 2011 at the BNT Studio 1 in Sofia where the Academy selected twenty-two artists and songs for the competition.[10][11] "Ima li pŭt" performed by Ivaylo Kolev was later withdrawn from the competition and replaced with the song "You Are the World" performed by Bee in the Bonnet.[12]

The semi-final took place on 14 January 2012 at the BNT Studio 1 in Sofia.[14] Twelve entries qualified to the final. The songs ranked first by the Academy and a public televote automatically advanced; an additional ten qualifiers were determined by the 50/50 combination of votes awarded by the public and the Academy.[15][16] In addition to the performances of the competing entries, guest performers were Gravity Co., StringS quartet and "Diva" Ballet Group.[17]

The final took place on 29 February 2012 at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. The twelve semi-final qualifiers competed and "Love Unlimited" performed by Sofi Marinova was selected as the winner by the 50/50 combination of votes awarded by public televoting and the Academy. New 5 and Sofi Marinova were tied at 20 points each but since Marinova received the most votes from the public she was declared the winner.[18][19] In addition to the performances of the competing entries, guest performers were TE, Grafa, Nelly Rangelova, Vasil Naydenov, Bulgarian Eurovision Song Contest 2007 entrant Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoulov, Cypriot Eurovision Song Contest 2012 entrant Ivi Adamou, 2012 Danish Eurovision Song Contest entrant Soluna Samay, 2012 French Eurovision Song Contest entrant Anggun and 2012 Maltese Eurovision Song Contest entrant Kurt Calleja.[6]

Sofi Marinova made several appearances across Europe to specifically promote "Love Unlimited" as the Bulgarian Eurovision entry. On 12 March, Marinova performed "Love Unlimited" during the Greek Eurovision national final.[20] Between 18 and 20 April, Marinova took part in promotional activities in Turkey where she appeared on TRT Müzik, Kanal D and TV8.[21][22] On 21 April, Marinova performed during the Eurovision in Concert event which was held at the Melkweg venue in Amsterdam, Netherlands and hosted by Ruth Jacott and Cornald Maas.[23] On 25 April, Marinova appeared in and performed during the Jutarnji Program on RTS1 in Serbia.[24]

Sofi Marinova during a rehearsal before the second semi-final

Sofi Marinova took part in technical rehearsals on 15 and 18 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 23 and 24 May. This included the jury final where professional juries of each country watched and voted on the competing entries.[28]

The Bulgarian performance featured Sofi Marinova performing on stage in a white leather costume with golden accessories. The stage colours were predominantly pink and the LED screens displayed white waves with flashing spotlights across the stage. The performance also featured several effects including pyrotechnic shots from the stage and on the rotating discs in the background, smoke and a wind machine.[29][30]

At the end of the show, Bulgaria was not announced among the top 10 entries in the second semi-final and therefore failed to qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Bulgaria placed eleventh in the semi-final, tying with tenth-placed Norway and receiving a total of 45 points.[31] Under tiebreak rules, the number of countries that voted for Norway (11) was higher than the number for Bulgaria (10). This resulted in Norway qualifying to the final over Bulgaria.[32]

Voting during the three shows consisted of 50 percent public televoting and 50 percent from a jury deliberation. The jury consisted of five music industry professionals who were citizens of the country they represent. This jury was asked to judge each contestant based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act. In addition, no member of a national jury could be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently.

Following the release of the full split voting by the EBU after the conclusion of the competition, it was revealed that Bulgaria had placed ninth with the public televote and seventeenth with the jury vote in the second semi-final. In the public vote, Bulgaria scored 59 points, while with the jury vote, Bulgaria scored 27 points.[33]

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Bulgaria and awarded by Bulgaria in the second semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Serbia in the semi-final and the final of the contest.