The European Seagull Screeching Championship took place on Sunday in De Panne, Belgium, at a seaside pub, according to multiple reports. Event organiser Claude Willaert said the competition aims to promote a positive image of seagulls, as reported by GB News. According to GB News, more than 70 competitors from 15 different nations took part, with categories for individuals, children, and groups. The judging system awards up to 20 points: 15 for vocal accuracy and 5 for behavioral authenticity, as reported by GB News.
Norway won the senior class of the competition, according to major media reports. Winners receive no monetary prize, only bragging rights. The event also featured a children's category; according to GB News, last year's winner was 11-year-old Cooper from Chesterfield, who also won the competition in 2024 and was guest of honour at the first Weston-super-Mare Seagull Screeching Championship last year.
You have been selected to represent Sweden in the Gull Screeching Championship.
Sweden was represented by Maria Lindeberg, a 36-year-old producer and project manager from Hökarängen, Stockholm. According to Dagens Nyheter, Lindeberg first tried imitating seagulls at age 14 at a summer house in Roslagen and learned about birds from her father as a child. She submitted a video clip of her seagull imitation to apply. Her team includes producer André Hasselgren and director Karolina Willebrand Vinnberg. Lindeberg told Dagens Nyheter that she has 20 seconds on stage, with the jury assessing 75 percent on the screech and 25 percent on presentation and performance. She described seagulls as evoking many emotions and noted that people often tell her she can screech like a seagull. She said the best way to practice is to go out and listen to seagulls, for example at Medborgarplatsen. Lindeberg also described seagulls as fascinating animals that live on human ruin, and said that for her, the seagull is a symbol of living freely. She initially felt silly about the competition but grew interested over time. According to Dagens Nyheter, organisers told her she had been selected to represent Sweden.
Other notable participants included Sam, a 38-year-old geography teacher from Rochester, Kent, and Carine Gronholz, a 41-year-old Norwegian. According to BBC News - England, Sam was inspired by the book 'Playing the Moldovans at Tennis' by Tony Hawks and said he likes experiences and wants to show his kids that you can grasp opportunities. He also said you only get one shot at life. According to GB News, Gronholz said she decided not to be boring and to do the competition.
I like experiences, I like saying yes to things. I want to show my kids that you can say yes, you can grasp opportunities.
The competition's exact date was not specified beyond Sunday, and the total number of participants was reported as more than 70 but not an exact figure. The winners of the individual senior category and the placements of Lindeberg and Sam were not disclosed.
If you can set yourself a target, you can achieve it.
You only get one shot at life, and this could be one of my biggest regrets, but you don't know until you try.
Be positive about seagulls. They belong to the sea.