Examining shared Turkish–Greek dishes through the lens of cultural ownership and gastrodiplomacy
International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, cilt.45, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 45
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.ijgfs.2026.101584
- Dergi Adı: International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Gastronomic heritage, Gastrodiplomacy, Gastronomic nationalism, Cultural appropriation, Cultural ownership, Turkish-Greek culinary relations
- Kırklareli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study examines how shared Turkish–Greek culinary heritage is contested along the continuum of cultural ownership and appropriation, and explores its gastrodiplomatic potential. A qualitative research design was employed, with semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 gastronomy experts from Türkiye and Greece. The data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), supported by NVivo 15 for data organization. The results reveal that shared gastronomic heritage possesses a dual character: while it serves as a sensitive domain for national identity, historical memory, and symbolic ownership, it simultaneously offers a robust platform for cultural reconciliation. Turkish participants primarily grounded the shared cuisine through historical continuity and the unity of material culture, whereas Greek participants adopted a more forward-looking perspective, emphasizing cooperation, festivals, and education-based gastrodiplomacy. The most prominent theme, “Sociopolitical Perception, Identity, and Sense of Ownership,” highlights that cuisine is perceived as a critical space for identity negotiation. Furthermore, both groups identified confrontational media discourse as a significant barrier that exacerbates cultural tensions. The study concludes that shared cuisine embodies a strategic duality of symbolic contestation and peace-building, suggesting that a sustainable gastrodiplomacy model must balance historical sensitivities with collaborative future visions.