Traditional Sohbet meetings in Turkey play a crucial role in the transmission of Turkish folk literature, dances, folk music, village plays as well as societal values. Turkish men meet regularly indoors, especially in the winter, to discuss local, social, and cultural issues.
Sometimes the meetings include music, dances, and plays, all of which are enjoyed while eating local dishes. Traditional Sohbet meetings sometimes last until early morning, and are available to men above 15 or 16, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or status, with the prerequisite that the individuals be from honest families, be trustworthy and respect their elders, and they do not gamble or display public drunkenness.
Mothers and wives encourage males to attend because of the associated social and cultural benefits, as meetings usually consist of five to thirty people who are guided by leaders appointed by election or proposed by elders. Traditional Sohbet meetings fulfill an important educational function by transferring ethical values such as social justice, tolerance, benevolence, and respect.

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Traditional Sohbet Meetings was inscribed in 2010 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Turkey.