International Coffee Day: A Global Celebration
Every year on October 1st, the world comes together, albeit in a subdued manner, to celebrate International Coffee Day. This beloved dark beverage has led to the proliferation of numerous cafes across various cultures and geographies, making coffee a unifying symbol for people of all languages and ethnicities. Each of us carries a tapestry of memories associated with different cafes, each one a repository of conversations, including those reflective moments spent alone with a book.
One noteworthy establishment is "Hekayat Cafe," recently opened by my academic friend, Mubarak Al-Jabri, on the outskirts of Muscat. This cafe merges storytelling with the slow enjoyment of hot coffee. I fondly recall "Najmat Al-Shamal" in the bustling Plaza of Barcelona in Tunis, where the owner ingeniously hosts two evening performances: one featuring a talented oud player who enchants patrons for over three hours, while the following night features a traditional storyteller weaving tales both ancient and contemporary. In Rabat, at "Palima Cafe," one can find a tree atop every table, creating a unique atmosphere. Similarly, Fez is renowned for its charming cafes, some of which carry names inspired by Egyptian cities, such as "Aswan Cafe" and "Cairo Cafe." During my doctoral studies in Fez, I often frequented these cafes, sometimes deep into the night.
In Muscat, "Homeland Cafe," founded by Omani writer Hamoud Al-Shakili, once buzzed with events, including a poetry night hosted by Sif Al-Rahbi to mark the 100th issue of the cultural magazine "Nizwa." I participated in a storytelling evening there, alongside female writers from Kuwait who serendipitously found themselves in Muscat to celebrate the work of Omani novelist Bushra Khalfan, and other memorable gatherings in honor of the late poet Mohammed Al-Harthi. Al-Shakili also published a book titled "Coffee Everywhere," featuring contributions from various writers, including a young Moroccan who was working in the cafe at the time of its release.
Interestingly, these Omani cafes do not serve traditional Omani coffee, known for its lightness and quick consumption. Instead, they offer a variety of foreign coffee brands, possibly reflecting a public preference that restricts local coffee enjoyment to homes and private gatherings, particularly during mourning visits, where hospitality is often synonymous with serving coffee. Inviting someone to "come have coffee at my place" typically involves not just coffee but an assortment of fruits as well.
Cafes also provide temporary employment opportunities for many young people, primarily university students. Consequently, the staff tends to change frequently, unless an older retiree is present, as I observed in many Moroccan cafes, where they often become a fixture of the establishment. Coffee culture is deeply intertwined with scholarly and literary discussions, as each intellectual or writer has their preferred cafe where they gather with peers. Often, these cafes resemble miniature communities with tables dedicated to different demographics—one for the youth characterized by lively banter, another for retirees where conversations tend to be quieter, and yet another for those wishing to play dominoes.
In my childhood, my brother Ahmed and I assisted our father in his small shop in Mattrah, where coffee was the most popular item. The demand was particularly high for half-Ceylon coffee due to its lower price compared to the more expensive Ceylon variety. Every morning, my father would take a pot of coffee and a plate of dates for all passersby. This gesture attracted dozens of people daily, fostering a space for various discussions. Some patrons would linger briefly, enjoying a couple of dates and two cups of coffee prepared by my mother, especially the taxi drivers who were often in a rush. Their visits frequently sparked new stories or anecdotes about unusual encounters with passengers. In contrast, the older patrons would stay longer, usually interrupted only by the call to noon prayer, prompting them to proceed to the nearby mosque for congregational prayers.
As reported by alaraby.co.uk.
