Gaziantep’s success, which was included in the gastronomy category of the “World Creative Cities Network”, which includes 47 cities from 33 countries, was celebrated with a special protocol dinner at the Çırağan Kempinski in Istanbul, attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Gaziantep Governor Ali Yerlikaya, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin and UNESCO representative Timothy Curtis. In their speeches at the protocol dinner, Fatma Şahin and Governor Yerlikaya explained the importance of Gaziantep being included in the “Creative Cities Network” of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the gastronomy category and the activities to be implemented in the upcoming stages.
GAZİANTEP TABLE IS A WORK OF ART
Our Foundation President, Governor Yerlikaya, stated that preserving and keeping traditional culinary culture alive is everyone's duty and made the following remarks:
“Gaziantep has become one of the 18 cities included in the Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy. The number of people traveling for tourism in the world has exceeded 1 billion. Research shows that food and drink is a determining factor in tourists' travel plans by 88 percent. When tourist preferences are taken into consideration, we are now one step ahead among the world cities we compete with with this title we have won. The cuisine of Gaziantep, which was a district of Aleppo during the Ottoman Empire, is also the cuisine of Aleppo. Gaziantep is also the table of the people of Aleppo. It is the table of Turks, Turkmens, Arabs, Kurds, Yazidis, Muslims, Christians, and Jews. The Gaziantep table is not only a city, but also a table of humanity. In our country, the table is the source and result of peace as well as sharing. Our Our tables are set with the understanding that what fills two people will fill the third. The abundance of our tables increases as we share them. We see our meals, each of which is a work of great wisdom, as works of art. No artist creates a work for himself. Because a work of art that is not shared with someone else has no meaning. The more people we share these works with, the more meaning our works will gain. We see becoming the World City of Gastronomy as an opportunity to share with the world not only our art of cooking but also the art of living produced by our wisdom.” UNESCO representative Timothy Curtis also stated that 47 cities from 33 countries were determined as new members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network this year and that one of them was Gaziantep, and said, “The UNESCO Creative Cities Network is a structure with a soul. This year, Gaziantep has also entered the gastronomy list with its cuisine reflecting its culture and history. I congratulate Gaziantep on this success,” he said.
WE AIM TO BECOME THE TASTE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin said the following;
“Gaziantep cuisine has a privileged place among Turkish and world cuisines. The meticulousness in the selection of ingredients used in the preparation of dishes and desserts that are taught as a legacy from grandmother to grandchild, the skill shown in preparation and cooking, the spices, pastes, sauces and mixtures used in the preparation of dishes and giving them a different flavor, have caused Gaziantep dishes and desserts to become famous and a sought-after palate. There are approximately 500 types of dishes in this rich cuisine consisting of unique flavors. Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality has applied to UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy in order to introduce this cultural heritage, which leaves unforgettable tastes on the palate and beautiful memories in the minds with its flavor, to the world as it deserves and to pass it on to future generations. As a result of intensive lobbying and promotional efforts, Gaziantep has earned membership in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy as of December 11, 2015. It has also earned the title of Turkey’s leading city in this field. Gaziantep, which has been registered as the “World City of Gastronomy”, will also be the rising star of gastronomy tourism with this new identity and title.”
I EXPECT GAZİANTEP’S SUCCESS FROM OTHER CITIES AS WELL
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who attended the celebration dinner with his wife Emine Erdoğan, said, “First of all, I congratulate Gaziantep and our Gaziantep brothers and sisters for the title they have received. I am pleased that UNESCO has chosen Gaziantep for this title,” and continued his speech as follows:
“Gaziantep has earned this success very well deservedly. Imagine a city with 500 dishes of its own. This number is a figure that will compete with countries, not cities, in the world. In addition to the variety of dishes in Gaziantep, the way they are made is also unique. For example, many dishes and ingredients such as gözlemla and tomato paste are made by women together. In other words, cooking in Gaziantep is also a subject that develops unity and togetherness. Gaziantep's culinary culture is only a part of the city's richness. Gaziantep sits on the wealth brought by the accumulation of all the civilizations and states established in the region since ancient times.
It is nice that they keep these dishes, which have been passed down from generation to generation, alive in Gaziantep.
