“Flavors of Anatolia”-themed Turkish Cuisine Days were held in Tunisia under the coordination of the Yunus Emre Institute, with the support of the Sheraton Hotel and Turkish Airlines, on December 12, 2025. (AA Photo)
The rich tapestry of Turkish cuisine was presented in Tunis this week during the “Flavors of Anatolia” Turkish Cuisine Days, an event underscoring the role of culinary culture in international diplomacy. Organized under the coordination of the Yunus Emre Institute with support from the Sheraton Hotel and Turkish Airlines, the multi-day festival introduced guests to specialties from across Türkiye.
In remarks to Anadolu Agency, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tunisia, Ahmet Misbah Demircan, emphasized the significance of such cultural initiatives. “One of the most effective aspects of cultural engagement is culinary culture,” he stated, noting Türkiye’s high level of success in this field. He observed an “extremely positive” level of interest from the public, consistent with previous events.
Ambassador Demircan highlighted that defining cultural elements—such as food, music, and architecture—consistently attract attention when showcased abroad and extended thanks to all contributors for the event’s organization.
The culinary program was crafted by Chef Ali Bedri Celikhan, who traveled from Gaziantep University as part of a joint project with the Yunus Emre Institute to promote Turkish cuisine internationally. Chef Celikhan presented a curated selection of two representative dishes from each of Türkiye’s seven regions. The offerings included lamb shank tandir, pide, and lahmacun, accompanied by traditional sherbets and beverages.
According to Sheraton Tunis Hotel Marketing Officer Emira Sadfi, the event, held from December 11th to 14th, featured a daily open buffet. The hotel, which has previously hosted similar cuisine days for other nations, chose to spotlight Türkiye this year. The program was enhanced with Anatolian-themed decor and live Turkish music, creating an immersive experience for guests. Sadfi confirmed the event was organized in cooperation with the Yunus Emre Institute and Turkish Airlines as part of year-end celebrations.
TunisianMonitorOnline (NejiMed)
