Turkey and Azerbaijan Join Forces Against Greece for Baklava UNESCO Bid
A historic move has finally put an end to the centuries-old 'baklava' crisis with Greece. Turkey and Azerbaijan, defending the stance that the famous delicacy does not belong to a single geography, have joined forces and submitted a registration file to UNESCO.
According to an exclusive report by Murat Öztekin from the Turkish newspaper, Turkey Gazette; baklava, the crowning glory of Turkish cuisine, is being defended on the international stage with a fresh strategy.
Ankara and Baku have decided to join forces in response to Athens' long-standing efforts to promote a particular dessert as part of their 'cultural heritage.'
With a jointly prepared application, the two countries are seeking to include this unique delicacy in the 'Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.' In the application, both the names 'baklava' and 'pakhlava' were registered as candidates for recognition, emphasizing the cultural prevalence of the dessert.
In this significant move of cultural diplomacy, the final stage has been reached.
The 21st UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee Meeting, which will determine the fate of baklava, is set to be organized in Xiamen, China, between November 30 and December 5.
Cultural circles are confidently anticipating a positive registration decision, thanks to the compelling evidence jointly presented by the two countries. The approval to be received will not only thoroughly debunk Greece's claims of ownership, but will also globally document that the delicacy belongs to the Turkish-Azeri geography.
This is not baklava's first international victory. Gaziantep Baklava became the first Turkish flavor to gain official recognition within the EU borders in 2013, receiving a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) from the European Union.
When delving into the historical evolution of baklava, the most definitive answers to the debates about its origin can be found in the Ottoman archives.
Gastronomy historians point out that the refined artistry of today's dessert took shape in the Ottoman palaces.
Archive Records: Official records pertaining to baklava are found in the palace's kitchen logs dating back to the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmed.
Military Tradition: The 'Baklava Procession,' presented by the sultan to his soldiers as a token of respect during Ramadan, underscores the dessert's place in the state hierarchy.
While Gaziantep is globally recognized as the hub of this craft today, century-old establishments in Istanbul also stand as key bearers of this tradition.
On the other hand, Greece points to the ancient periods and the Byzantine Empire as evidence for its thesis.
Greek businesses, taking inspiration from the honey, pastry, and walnut desserts made in the Aegean islands in the past, continue to market these products under the titles of 'Greek baklava' or 'Greek pastry' on their menus.
It is anticipated that this joint UNESCO operation conducted by Ankara and Baku will put a definitive end to this territorial dispute in the world of gastronomy.
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