With their shiny fishtails, hundreds of “mermaids” (美人鱼) and “mermen” arrived at the pools in Virginia, US, on March 4. They got together for the MerMagic Convention (大会) – one of the world’s largest mermaid conventions. People showed off their talents in the pools and competed (竞争) in beautiful clothes. Apart from diving (潜水) and the evening gala (晚会), the event also had safe swimming lessons. But above all, everyone could take part. “No matter how old one is, no matter where one comes from, no matter whether one is disabled (有残障的), anyone can become a mermaid,” Merlot, 19, told AFP.