Dutch ‘douze points’ this year, just like Joost Klein, from Friesland

• Jorn Kompeer

  editor Domestic

The points from the Dutch professional jury at the Eurovision Song Contest come from Leeuwarden this year. On Saturday, May 11, influencer and former Eurovision presenter Nikkie de Jager (NikkieTutorials) will present the Dutch douze points directly from the Oldehoofsterkerkhof in the Frisian capital, where thousands of people can watch the Eurovision Song Contest final on large screens.

According to AVROTROS, the broadcaster behind the Eurovision Song Contest, the one-off move to Leeuwarden is a logical choice because of the bond with Joost Klein, who performs for the Netherlands at the song event. Klein was born in Leeuwarden and is a proud Frisian. This is how he gained international fame through his song Friesenjung.

Nikkie de Jager calls awarding the points a dream come true. “When I was allowed to present the festival in 2021, there was always one small wish left: the points! Now I can finally say those famous words: ‘Our twelve points go to…’.”

It has been tradition for years that in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, (usually the capitals of) all participating countries are switched to announce the jury points. In recent editions, the Dutch points always came from Hilversum, where a well-known Dutchman was ready in a studio to announce the results. The high TV tower of Hilversum or the Institute for Sound and Vision could often be seen in the background.

Last year, singer and former Eurovision participant S10 did this on behalf of the Netherlands:

S10 hands out ‘douze points’ to Sweden

“That could be better,” thought former presenter Sipke Jan Bousema when he heard last November that singer Joost Klein will be going to the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of the Netherlands this year. That is why he founded the ‘Europe Party’ together with the province of Friesland, the municipality of Leeuwarden and a number of other organizations. About six thousand people can watch the final together on the final evening at the Oldehoofsterkerkhof.

At the same time, they hoped to convince broadcaster AVROTROS to also move the scoring to Leeuwarden and they succeeded. “The fact that AVROTROS embraces our idea is fantastic,” says Bousema. “It is the first time in the Netherlands that it has happened this way. Unique and original, that is Joost and that is in the Frisian DNA.”

Alderman Hein Kuiken of the municipality of Leeuwarden adds: “The fact that Joost makes it to the final is always a big deal for us. no brainer been. The fact that we can cheer on Joost from his hometown and that the official points count comes from here completes the circle.”

The 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest starts next Tuesday. Joost Klein will participate on behalf of the Netherlands in the second semi-final on Thursday, May 9. He appears last in this regard. According to the polls, Klein will do well on the Eurovision stage; the betting offices currently estimate that third place is feasible.

Yesterday Joost Klein left Schiphol for Malmö for the rehearsal week:

Joost Klein ready for departure to Malmö: ‘A lot of meditating and air frying’