Traditional conversations (known as sohbet in Turkish) are registered on the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The approved file includes following description on the traditional conversation:

The traditional conversations having a long-standing past and an institutional structure has an important place in the community life, even if it may be considered as a spare time activity at first sight. In some regions of Turkey, it is almost forgotten, only held by the older people and in some regions it is still alive adapted to the present specific living conditions.

The traditional conversations are also named Barana, Cümbüş, Muhabbet, Oturma, Oturak, Oturmah, Sıra Yarenler, Sıra Geceleri, Gezek, Sıraname, Sohbet, Ferfene, Erfane, Arfana, Delikanlı Teşkilatı, Gençler Heyeti, Sıra Yâranleri, Velime Geceleri, Kürsübaşı Sohbetleri, Keyf/Kef, Oda Teşkilatı (these names have various meanings in English, like chat, festivity, sitting, joy etc.) in different regions.

Even though the traditional conversations are named differently in various regions in Turkey, they are basically the same. The prior aim is to spend the spare time with conversations, joy and also learning. These meetings help to keep the traditions alive, to form a village or neighborhood awareness, to create and sustain love and respect, unity and solidarity and other virtues.

The traditional conversations are shared verbally. They have an important role in transferring the public literature and dances, folk music, performing arts and social rituals. The youth attending these meetings with their elders live and learn the tradition to sustain it.

These meetings also serve in adopting the social justice, charity, tolerance, respect and moral values. The traditional conversations also ensure that the people from all social segments participate; the participants have an equal statue. It also provides peace. As a result, it is important in the path to social and inter-community tolerance and peace.