Türkiye secures UNESCO status for Antep İşi Embroidery

The Republic of Türkiye has reached an important cultural milestone with Antep İşi Embroidery being inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement was made during the 20th Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in New Delhi from 8 to 13 December 2025. The nomination was jointly prepared by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye and the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality.

Antep İşi Embroidery is a traditional form of needlework that has been practised for centuries. It is made using white thread on white fabric and involves carefully pulling and cutting threads to create detailed patterns. The knowledge and techniques have been passed down through generations. Beyond its artistic value, Antep İşi plays an important social and economic role, especially for women, by providing income opportunities and strengthening community ties.

During the session, UNESCO praised Türkiye’s submission, calling the dossier detailed and well prepared. With this inscription, Türkiye now has 32 elements on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, including several multinational entries.

Gaziantep, a city with a long and rich history, has been central to preserving this tradition. Mayor Fatma Sahin said, “Antep İşi embroidery has always held a central place in the preservation of our cultural heritage and stands as one of the most cherished elements in a young woman’s dowry… From the local to the global, from tradition to the future, safeguarding this precious art form brings us immense satisfaction.”

Following the announcement, Mayor Şahin and Türkiye’s Ambassador to New Delhi, H E Ali Murat Ersoy, received congratulations from international delegations. To mark the occasion, Ambassador Ersoy and his spouse hosted a Gaziantep promotion event in New Delhi, introducing diplomats and guests to the city’s cultural heritage and traditional cuisine, including its well-known baklava.



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