Seagull Sounds Soar at European Championship

The annual European Seagull Screeching Championship in De Panne, Belgium, saw over 70 contestants from 15 countries imitating seagull sounds. Participants of all ages, often in seagull-themed attire, competed for a score based on sound imitation and performance, aiming to uplift the seagull's public image.

On Sunday, the coastal town of De Panne in Belgium reverberated with the lively sounds of seagulls—not from birds, but from contestants at the European Seagull Screeching Championship. Over 70 competitors from 15 countries gathered at a local pub to showcase their interpretations of the seagull's distinctive call.

The sixth edition of the event attracted a diverse range of participants, including families with children, many dressed in seagull-themed costumes. Each performance was welcomed with enthusiastic applauses, with the jury awarding scores out of 15 for sound authenticity and five points for flair in performance.

This annual tradition seeks to improve the public perception of seagulls, often regarded as nuisances. Event organiser Claude Willaert emphasized the positive association of seagulls with holiday memories, urging people to appreciate their unique contribution to coastal charm.