Groningen Crowned Champions of Regional Song Contest with “Everything Gold”
GELDERLAND – GroningenS Iwan and Jeroen have won the third edition of the Regional Song Contest with their song “Everything Gold,” triumphing over representatives from eleven other Dutch provinces. The victory,announced tonight,means Groningen will host the festival next year.
This year’s contest marked a significant innovation with the inclusion of an AI-generated jury member, dubbed ‘Robin,’ alongside the thirteen members representing each regional broadcaster. Robin evaluated songs based on lyrical authenticity, originality, and regional character, awarding Friesland the highest score despite their tenth-place finish overall. Groningen secured the win with both the professional jury and the public vote, finishing with 138 points before public votes were tallied, followed by north Holland (126 points) and Utrecht (102 points).
The contest, organized this year by Omroep Gelderland following Emma Luca’s win last year with “Illusion,” saw Groningen emerge victorious. “A modern twist, without compromising the original format,” said creator Arthur Marres from Omroep Brabant, regarding the addition of the AI judge.
The win signifies a major cultural moment for Groningen, positioning the city as the center stage for next year’s Regional Song Contest.