In Ashgabat, Turkish cuisine week celebrated
Today, May 21st, a solemn event was held at the residence of the Turkish Ambassador to Turkmenistan on the occasion of Turkish Cuisine Week.
The evening gathered numerous guests, including the Chairman of the Council of Higher Education of Turkey, Professor Erol Özvar, and his accompanying delegation, as well as representatives from the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, headed by Murat Birol Kayım.
Speaking at the event, the Turkish Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Ahmet Demirok, emphasized that Turkish Cuisine Week is being held to introduce the international audience to Turkey's rich gastronomic culture. Throughout this week, festive events are taking place not only in Turkey itself but also abroad, with the participation of Turkish diplomatic missions.
The Ambassador noted that the initiator of the project was the First Lady of Turkey, Emine Erdoğan. Under her patronage, the book "Turkish Cuisine: Timeless Recipes" was published, which presents traditional dishes, methods for their environmentally friendly and waste-free preparation and storage, as well as recipes based on the principles of sustainable and healthy eating.
Special attention in Turkish cuisine is paid to the variety of vegetables and fruits, making it suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Furthermore, the culture of Turkish cuisine carries deep traditions of hospitality, unity, and solidarity.
During the evening, guests were presented with a classic Anatolian dinner, including wedding soup, white beans with pastırma, rice pilaf, cacık, baklava, and tulumba. According to the Ambassador, these are dishes that are gladly served in every Turkish home – simple, accessible, and wholesome.
In his speech, Ahmet Demirok also recalled that 2025 has been declared the Year of the Family in Turkey, which underscores the importance of protecting family values and developing relevant social initiatives. As part of the evening, a short video and a photo exhibition dedicated to the Turkish family were shown.
In conclusion, the Ambassador expressed his gratitude to his wife, Arzu, the chef Osman-bey, and all the team members who prepared the festive dinner, and concluded his speech with the Turkmen proverb: "Myhman ataňdan uludyr" – “A guest is more important than a father”.
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