Most fish never swim against the current in their lives. But the pearl mullets realize a miracle every year. Continuing their lives in the biggest lake of Turkey, Lake Van, pearl mullets immigrate to freshwater bodies where they spawn from April 15 to July 15, migrating while swimming against the current. As the fish swim, they jump out of the water; a feast for the eyes. To watch this miracle happen, Van hosts thousands of tourists who come to the city just to watch mullets migrate.
This year, the municipality will celebrate the migration of the pearl mullets with a festival, "International Pearl Mullet Migration Culture and Art Festival," on June 1 and continuing for three days.
To make guests more comfortable and enjoy the scenery, the municipality is currently undertaking various landscape and service improvements.
Speaking to the press, Acting Van Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mehmet Şirin said: "Swimming against the current, the pearl mullets offer us a miracle. We invite all who have not yet seen this beautiful natural event. Every year, we host about 30,000 people from around the world. This year, our aim is more than 50,000 visitors."
Since this year's pearl mullet migration coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, the festival will take place as a part of Ramadan events in Van.
