Katara Cultural Village Hosts ‘Coffee for Two - Cultures in Dialogue’

With maps that trace the history of the beverage's travels, the display provides a more thorough look at the brew's past.

The cultural initiative that began with the international traveling exhibition The Majlis - Cultures in Dialogue in 2018 and has already arrived in six European capitals is being carried out between August 22 and September 21 under the patronage of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani.

The event honors the culture and traditions surrounding the beverage as a common language that unites people around the world, fostering cultural exchanges and social solidarity, as part of the cultural cooperation between Katara Cultural Village and the UNESCO Gulf States and Yemen Office.

The exhibition highlights the cultural traditions associated with the locally roasted Arabic coffee and the roles it plays for the communities with a collection of about 50 items, including images, videos, and quizzes.

Based on a nomination made by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, the "Arabic coffee, a symbol of generosity" was added to the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015.

It's "an important part of hospitality in Arab societies and regarded as a ceremonial act of charity," according to UNESCO.

Men and women from all social classes love gahwa, which is prepared in front of guests, especially at home or in the majlis, the communal area found in every Arab home.

What exactly is on display?

The exhibition Coffee for Two - Cultures in Dialogue takes a closer look at the history of the well-known brew with maps that track the coffee route. This is because there are numerous ways to prepare and drink coffee, such as some that are quick, some that are slow, some that include milk and sugar, some that are hot, and some that are cold.

The exhibition emphasizes both the historical development of coffee and its modernization. Comparing old photographs from the FBQ Museum's collection to recent images of people drinking coffee on the go demonstrates how tradition and knowledge are continually blending to create a culture of social engagement and sharing.

Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim bin Faisal Al Thani made the following statement in response to the event: "Coffee for Two" exhibition is a continuation of the traveling, intercultural exhibition The Majlis - Culture in Dialogue, which began in 2018 and has since toured various European countries."

He continued by saying that they aimed to bring the Culture in Dialogue exhibitions to Qatar this year in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup event, starting with the unique "Coffee for Two" themed exhibition at Katara Cultural Village, which represents the global hospitality culture in general and Arab hospitality in particular.