World Turkish Coffee Day was celebrated in the capital of Turkmenistan. At the event, Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Demirok spoke about the centuries-old history of this tradition, which since the 16th century has been a symbol of hospitality and a bridge of cultural dialogue between peoples. Turkish coffee culture is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

"It is a great honor for me to greet you today on the occasion of World Turkish Coffee Day. This day provides a special opportunity to celebrate one of the oldest coffee traditions in the world and a distinctive element of Türkiye’s cultural heritage," the diplomat said.

He reminded that coffee has been an integral part of Turkish social and cultural life since the 16th century, when the drink arrived in Istanbul. The first coffeehouses in Turkish cities became centers of social and intellectual life, where literature, politics, and current events were discussed.

The ambassador noted that over time, the ritual of preparing and serving Turkish coffee has become a symbol of respect, friendship, and mutual trust. This is reflected in the Turkish proverb, "Bir fincan kahvenin kırk yıl hatırı vardır" (A cup of coffee is remembered for forty years – ed.), which expresses the idea that even a small act of kindness can create a strong bond between people.

In 2013, the culture and tradition of Turkish coffee was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. "This inscription highlights that Turkish coffee is not only a method of preparation, but also a set of practices, rituals, and values that foster dialogue, social cohesion, and intergenerational continuity," Demirok emphasized.

The diplomat explained that the history of Turkish coffee is closely linked to the history of European coffee culture. Through Ottoman trade and diplomacy, the drink spread from Istanbul to Europe. In cities like Vienna and Paris, strong, finely ground Ottoman-style coffee was adapted to local tastes, leading to the development of Viennese mélange, the cappuccino, which later inspired the Italian cappuccino, and, in France, café au lait.

"World Turkish Coffee Day reminds us that this heritage is no longer limited to Türkiye’s borders. Today, this drink is enjoyed in many parts of the world – at home, in cafes, and in restaurants," the ambassador concluded, adding that by celebrating this day, people celebrate not only the traditional drink but also the values of hospitality, generosity, and dialogue it embodies.

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