Home UNESCO Lists Intangible Cultural Heritage Culture of Çay (tea), a Symbol of Identity, Hospitality and Social Interaction

Culture of Çay (tea), a Symbol of Identity, Hospitality and Social Interaction

Tea culture in Azerbaijan and Turkey is an important social practice that demonstrates hospitality, deepens, and enhances social relations, and is used to celebrate important moments in the lives of communities. Although there are many types of tea and methods of preparation, most communities in both countries harvest and consume black tea, which is prepared fresh and served hot in pear-shaped cups made of glass, porcelain, faience, or silver.
Tea culture provides a strong sense of cultural identity and is an essential element in the daily life of all classes of society.

Culture of Çay (tea), a Symbol of Identity, Hospitality and Social Interaction was inscribed in 2022 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Azerbaijan, Turkey.

by Robertgombos, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

by Timer4mirc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

by Emin Bashirov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Culture of Çay (tea), a Symbol of Identity, Hospitality and Social Interaction

Date of Inscription

2022

Spring Celebration, Hıdrellez Nawrouz Mevlevi Sema Ceremony Arts of the Meddah, Public Storytellers Karagöz Âşıklık (Minstrelsy) Tradition Traditional Sohbet Meetings Semah, Alevi-Bektaşi Ritual Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival Ceremonial Keşkek Tradition Mesir Macunu Festival Traditional Craftsmanship of Çini-Making Turkish Coffee Culture and Tradition Ebru, Turkish Art of Marbling Whistled Language Traditional Turkish Archery Hüsn-i Hat, Traditional Calligraphy in Islamic Art in Turkey Heritage of Dede Qorqud/Korkyt Ata/Dede Korkut, Epic Culture, Folk Tales and Music Traditional Intelligence and Strategy Game: Togyzqumalaq, Toguz Korgool, Mangala/Göçürme Art of Miniature Flatbread Making and Sharing Culture: Lavash, Katyrma, Jupka, Yufka Traditional Ahlat Stonework Sericulture and Traditional Production of Silk for Weaving Telling Tradition of Nasreddin Hodja/ Molla Nesreddin/ Molla Ependi/ Apendi/ Afendi Kozhanasyr Anecdotes Traditional Knowledge, Methods and Practices Concerning Olive Cultivation Art of illumination: Təzhib/Tazhib/Zarhalkori/Tezhip/Naqqoshlik Craftsmanship and Performing Art of Balaban/Mey Craftsmanship of Mother of Pearl Inlay Iftar/Eftari/Iftar/Iftor and its Socio-Cultural Traditions

Culture of Çay (tea), a Symbol of Identity, Hospitality and Social Interaction

Culture of Çay (tea), a Symbol of Identity, Hospitality and Social Interaction

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