The culture of flatbread making and sharing, represented with the names Lavash-Katyrma-Jupka-Yufka, is a set of traditional knowledge, views, skills and rituals related to preparation, baking, storing, using and sharing of traditional thin bread that performs specific cultural and social functions within the related communities in Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey and is transmitted from generations to generations. Flatbread tradition is a symbol of shared cultural identity and serves expression of mutual respect among communities. The five countries share a number of common features, skills and knowledge related to preparation and use of the flatbread. Tradition bearers usually prepare the flatbread from unleavened or leavened dough based on flour, salt and water, while also adding sometimes milk, butter, sesame and poppy seeds. Communities use different types of crops to prepare the dough, such as wheat and rye. The dough is rolled by hand or using a dough roller into round or oval shape. In Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey and some communities of Kyrgyzstan, flatbread is baked in earthen or stone ovens called “tandyr” or “tanūr” buried into the ground. Some communities in Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkey bake the flatbread (yufka or lavash) on a metal plate known as “sac” (“saj” or “sāj”) over the fire. Communities in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan bake the flatbread by laying out rolled dough in big cauldrons (‘kazan’) heated on fire. As a result of this baking style, practitioners manage to maintain nutritious qualities of the flatbreads and store them for several months without refrigerator. Various methods, techniques, instruments and substances are used by flatbread-preparing practitioners. The preparation of flatbread involves traditional practices based on collective labour and sharing within family and neighbourhood. As expression of social solidarity in rural areas, families prepare and bake flatbread together with their neighbours, especially as a preparation for winter. The flatbread is baked both at homes by family members and flatbread bakers, who learn the practice through a master-apprentice relationship. The flatbread preparation bears a great variety of social and cultural functions for its communities in terms of its usage at special occasions and its relation to transition between seasons. Communities of five countries consider flatbread preparation places sacred. In Kazakhstan, communities believe preparing flatbread at funerals helps the deceased get protection from the burning Sun, while waiting for decision of the God. To wish prosperity and wealth to newly-married couple, in Azerbaijani and Iranian weddings the flatbread lavash is often put on shoulders of the bride, while in Turkish weddings dried flatbread yufka is crumbled over the head of the bride. In Kyrgyzstan, tradition bearers believe that flatbread helps sick people. In some religious ceremonies and traditional weddings in Iran flatbread is served as a component of the sacred offering. During the preparation of flatbread, it is shared with all passers-by as a sign of hospitality. Flatbread culture is expression of belonging to common cultural roots. It reinforces cultural links and serves as marker of hospitality, conviviality and friendliness within the societies of five countries.

Azerbaijan,Iran,Kyrgyzstan,Kazakhstan,Turkey 2016

Iftar (from the Arabic language opening the mouth, breaking the fast) is a custom associated with fasting in Islam. According to the Qur'an, a person who breaks a fast should feed others. In Islam, holding a feast with the participation of many people - Iftar is one of the meritorious deeds in Islam.

Uzbekistan

NAYIT is an Arabic word. Eid means holiday. In the Islamic tradition, two Eids are officially celebrated as religious holidays: the great Eid or the Eid of Sacrifice (Arabic: Eid al-Kabir, Eid al-Adha) and the lesser Eid, or Eid of fasting (Arabic: Eid al-Sagheer, Eid al-Fitr). Eid al-Adha is associated with the pilgrimage and sacrifice, and Eid al-Fitr is about opening the mouth at the end of the month of Ramadan. Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Zu-l-Hijjah, and Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the 1st day of Shawwal. Eid al-Fitr prayer in the mosque in the morning, giving al-Fitr charity (before the Eid al-Fitr prayer), and making sacrifices on Eid al-Fitr, etc. rites related to Islam arose. In many places, the local customs of the peoples are included in these Eid rituals: sharing food on the eve, wearing new clothes, giving "Hayt", going for a walk, visiting loved ones, etc. also joined.

Uzbekistan

A traditional sweetness of Tajiks similar to halva. It is prepared with white of egg, sugar and bekhi – a kind of plant. That is special sweet for Ramadan month and other celebrations.

Atola with meat which cooked with milk, flour, oil and beef. That is special dish for winter and Ramadan month.

Holyday walking, children visit houses of their street or village and congratulate people with muslim holidays Ramadan or Qurban.

Ramadan or Fitr holiday. Tajiks celebrate that with different cooking and customs. Visit each other’s houses.