Winner for the first time at the age of 63: singer Klaas Spekken from Vlagtwedde in the clouds after winning the COC Eurovision Song Contest

Singer Klaas Spekken from Vlagtwedde won the COC Song Festival in Leeuwarden this weekend with his song I see you. “I’m still stunned by it.”

Mr. Bakken, congratulations. You must be happy.

“Thank you and I am certainly happy. It was a beautiful evening in De Neushoorn, the music venue in Leeuwarden. It was the 27th edition of the COC Song Contest and I represented the Pink 50+ Netherlands Foundation. Nine other organizations that stand up for LGBTI people also submitted a candidate. So ten songs were sung.”

Were you nervous beforehand?

,,A little. In the afternoon we already had a sound check and then I heard the other songs. There were two more songs like mine, quiet songs. The others were hard rock, glitter and glamour, a completely different genre. Then I thought ‘what will the judges choose?’ I was a little tense, but that’s okay.”

And then came the festival itself.

,, Yes, it was my turn first and the singing went well. My self-written song about a boy who is afraid to come out of the closet, in which I recognize a lot of myself, came across well. I had that feeling. Afterwards, the chairman of the professional jury, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Vera Bergkamp, ​​said: ‘The bar is being set high’. Of course that made me feel really good. Then I had to wait and listen to the other songs on a balcony. Then it was up to the juries.”

Juries? There were more juries?

,, Yes, first the professional judges gave their points, after that round I was at the top. But all the participating organizations also had a representative who gave points, a so-called regional jury. Of course, Roze 50+ was not allowed to give me any points. Mayor Buma van Leeuwarden read out the points of those juries and ultimately I turned out to be the winner. I was and am stunned by it. I have participated as a singer in several festivals but never won. Now, at 63, well, for the first time.”

Did you receive a nice prize?

“Yes, a trophy that I will hand in again next year at the next edition. Where that festival will take place is still unknown, Roze 50+ must organize it as the winner. As I said, I am very happy that my song did so well. But of course those nine other participants also had their message that was just as important. It is a shame that it is still necessary to stand up for the rights of LGBTI people, but that is how it is.”

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