Greece is in a dispute with Turkey and Azerbaijan over baklava

Turkey and Azerbaijan have submitted a joint application to UNESCO to include baklava on the list of intangible cultural heritage under the names “baklava” and “pakhlava.” This move is a continuation of a long-standing regional dispute with Greece over the right to be called the birthplace of the popular dessert. Armenians, meanwhile, believe it belongs to them.

A final decision on this application will be made at a meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee, which will take place from November 30 to December 5 in the Chinese city of Xiamen.

The Greek side claims that similar desserts made of thin pastry, nuts, and honey were prepared as far back as the Byzantine Empire, and local establishments often market the pastry as “Greek baklava.” At the same time, historians note that the first written mention of this Eastern dessert dates back to the 15th century, although the tradition of making thin pastry itself originated with the Assyrians and traces back to Ancient Mesopotamia. In addition, baklava is described in a 17th-century Armenian poem by Andreas Artsketsi, and Gavar baklava—whose recipe was brought by settlers from Western Armenia in the 19th century—has already been officially included in the list of Armenia’s intangible cultural heritage.

This was reported by the RBC news agency.

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