Turkish coffee to become "intangible heritage"

Turkish coffee culture and tradition is going to be included in UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list, if the proposal gets approval in the meeting in Azerbaijani capital, Baku today. "Turkish coffee" has been included today in the meeting's agenda to be discussed during the 8th Session of UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage which will continue until December 7. A variety of traditional elements have been proposed to be included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage during the five day meeting of 780 delegates from 116 countries. Turkish National Commission for UNESCO Chairman Professor Ocal Oguz said "Turkish coffee has been recommended for the list through the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism", adding that they hope the request will be accepted. Oguz shared that many other assets of Turkey's culture such as the wedding dinner keskek, whirling dervishes, grease wrestling in Kirkpinar and the shadow theatre were included in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list in previous years.

"The representative list is important as it makes Turkish cultural assets more recognized by the international community," Oguz continued.

Oguz stressed that Turkish coffee is a culture more than a drink, stating that "it is known as  'Turkish coffee' all around the world not because of its commodity but its style, preparation method and traditional presentation."

The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage is established by UNESCO whose aim is to better protect, safeguard and promote important intangible cultural heritages worldwide to showcase cultural diversity and creative expression.