Since its launch, the Beth Nahrin Golden Song competition has become an annual highlight for Beth Nahrin/Assyrian musical creativity, bringing together established voices and emerging talent. Over the course of three editions, the competition has reflected both continuity and evolution in the field of contemporary Assyrian music.
In the inaugural year of 2023, the public played a central role in selecting the winning entry. With 429 individual voters participating, Kulli by Laressa Golpashin (Lala) emerged as the top choice, capturing about 28 % of the votes in an open poll conducted on Mentimeter.com. This win was significant as it demonstrated early audience engagement and confirmed the viability of the competition’s public-voting model. Other notable entries in that year included songs such as Le Bayanoukh by Julia Marcos and Brata D’Malkeh by Madlen Ishoeva, illustrating a range of stylistic approaches within the Assyrian song tradition.
In 2024, the competition continued to refine its structure and expand its roster of contenders. The public voting phase took place in late December, and by the end of the cycle Min Nagestan by Julia Markos was announced as the Golden Song for 2024. That year also saw several adjustments to the lineup, including the addition of songs like Donyee by Charles Tooma and Shimsha by James Hormes, as well as the withdrawal of others due to participation clarifications. The 2024 edition showcased a broader pool of entries ranging from En Aha Lebi by Alan Geroge to Haqehla Raheh by Susy Ala, reflecting diverse creative voices within the community.
By 2025, the competition had matured its selection and evaluation processes. In addition to public voting, a panel of judges applied a combined scoring system that weighted both audience preferences and expert evaluation equally. Twelve finalists were selected from songs released between January and mid-December, including Hala Edakh by Sargon Kanoun, Masata D’Baryana by Julia Markos, Khobit Khonwateh by Julie Yousif & Edward Yousif, and Kopala D’Jeelou by Juliana Jendo. While official individual placement results were shared at the close of voting, the 2025 edition emphasized the competition’s evolving format and the breadth of artistic participation.
Across all three years, Beth Nahrin Golden Song has recognized collaborative achievement by honoring lyricists, composers, and performers, often with trophies produced by Society Awards. This approach highlights the multifaceted nature of songcraft and reinforces the competition’s role as a space where musical creativity and cultural expression intersect.
As the competition continues, its trajectory points toward greater artistic engagement and a strengthening of community around Assyrian music. Through both public involvement and structured evaluation, Beth Nahrin Golden Song has provided a recurring platform for songs that resonate with listeners and reflect a living cultural heritage.
