Van, Turkey

At least five people are dead and others are feared trapped following an avalanche in eastern Turkey's Van province, authorities said on Feb. 4.

"Seven people were rescued during the search. Unfortunately, five others were found dead under the snow," said Van governor Mehmet Emin Bilmez.

Van cats, reputed worldwide for their extraordinary eye colors and soft, white coats, now listen to Mozart in their Cat Villa at Yüzüncü Yıl University in the eastern province of Van where they are under protection.

Turkey on Nov. 9 appointed an acting mayor for a district in the eastern Van province after its mayor was suspended over suspected links to terrorism. 

A photo exhibition depicting the Armenian Akdamar Holy Cross Church in Turkey's eastern province of Van opened in New York on Nov. 5.
Organized by the Turkish Presidency Directorate of Communications, the exhibition highlights Turkey's efforts to restore and promote the medieval Christian art and architecture.

The new Urartu Museum building in the south of Van Castle was opened in the eastern province of Van, moving from its former premises after receiving damage during earthquakes that rattled the ancient city on Oct. 23 and Nov. 9, 2011.

Shop owners in the eastern province of Van have begun learning Persian to communicate better with tourists from Iran and to provide better service to them.

 The 4th Van Cat Beauty Contest was held by the Van Yüzüncü Yıl University (YYU) at the weekend as part of a shopping fest in the city. A Van cat named Spak was the winner of the contest. YYU Van Cat Research and Application Center Director Professor Abdullah Kaya said the event was held to promote Van cats and create awareness of this species of cats.

Police have seized 334 pieces of historical artifacts believed to have belonged to the Urartu period in the eastern province of Van and detained two people in the operation, Demirören News Agency reported on Dec. 30.

The senate of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University in the eastern province of Van has decided that one academic will dine with students every day after dozens of students living in a dormitory suffered from food poisoning last week.

Akdamar Church, a medieval Armenian church in Turkey's eastern Van province, opened its doors for its first religious service in three years on Sept. 9.