Wine and Bleak Festival

The bleak (ukljeva) is a fish with a long history in this area. According to Vuk Karadžić, it has been smoked and dried here since at least the 1830s. In 1899 dried bleak was the main export of Rijeka Crnojevića. Skadar Lake holds more than 40 species of fish, among them carp, bleak, eel and trout.

In February, Virpazar celebrates wine and bleak at the Festival vina i ukljeve. The 2026 festival was the 28th edition.

A festival without its fish

At the 28th edition, in 2026, no bleak was served, to protect the stock. A bleak festival without bleak: a small but clear sign that the fish of the lake need care.

Where and when

The festival takes place in Virpazar, not in Rijeka Crnojevića. Virpazar is about 25 km away, around 35 minutes on a single-lane road along the lake (getting there). It is held in February. We do not have the exact dates for 2026 or 2027.

The two places have long been linked. In 1899 steamers ran from Rijeka Crnojevića to Virpazar. Today you make the trip by road.

Fish and wine around the river

Fishing is closed from 15 March to 15 May for every species except eel; see fishing. For wine tasting in the area, see wine. Read more about the fish of the lake on our nature page.