A Week Full of Energy in Eastern Turkey
Van just wrapped up one of its most vibrant weeks of the year with the Culture Route Festival, and the city is still buzzing from the excitement. From July 12 to July 20, Van transformed into a hub of art, music, food, and history, drawing thousands of visitors from surrounding provinces and beyond. Hotels and restaurants were packed, and local businesses saw a huge uptick in sales—some even reporting they made four months’ worth of income in just one week.
A Boost for Tourism and the Local Scene
This marks the second time Van has hosted the Culture Route Festival, organized by Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The results? A massive win for the local economy and a huge step forward for tourism in the region. The festival included everything from concerts, theatre, and exhibitions to archaeological tours, food tastings, and workshops. The diversity of events kept locals and tourists alike fully engaged throughout the week.
What Locals Are Saying
Gonca Güray, who runs the well-known Matbah-ı Van restaurant, said the festival brought a much-needed spark after a few slow months. “We hosted so many local and international guests. We showcased our traditional Van breakfast, and it was a great experience. The city needed this energy.”
Oğuz Taşkıran, General Manager at Tariria Culture, Art, and Gastronomy Center, also praised the festival’s impact. “The interest was strong, especially during the weekends. We’ve been seeing a real rise in tourism and cultural activity here over the past two to three years, and festivals like this accelerate that growth.”
Food, Fun, and Sold-Out Kitchens
It wasn’t just hotels that were full—so were the restaurants. Adem Ergin, owner of a local eatery known as Adem Şef, described how their kitchen ran out of multiple dishes due to the crowd. “We were better prepared this year, but the demand still exceeded expectations. We even had to direct some of our guests to other restaurants because we simply couldn’t keep up.”
A Festival That Changed the Game
For one unforgettable week, Van showed what it’s capable of when culture and tourism meet. The festival didn’t just entertain; it energized the entire city. Locals hope this is just the beginning of many more lively, art-filled summers in Van.
