The show was partnered by the Dubai Coffee Museum, which lent more than 40 pieces.
The culture involving coffee consumption in the world is marked by different traditions and habits. Since the 15th century, Arabs have known and appreciated the drink and are responsible for making coffee a worldwide preference. Seeking to further investigate the rich Arab culture and coffee, the Santos Coffee Museum is inaugurating (read Santos Coffee Museum), on this Thursday, the 28th, the exhibit “Arab Coffee, a symbol of generosity”.
“When the project came up, we realized that we had no elements in our collection that could tell this story, so we went to the Dubai Coffee Museum, which promptly assisted us and lent about 40 pieces to compose the show. Even desert sand, used to make coffee,” explains the museum’s technical coordinator, Marcela Rezek.
“The Arab coffee is a cultural heritage that crosses borders and brings symbolically similar social relations with Brazil,” emphasizes Marcela.
The exhibit
The exhibit, which will be temporary and available to visitors for about a year, was designed by the museum staff to be presented in three modules. The first focuses on the introduction of the drink in the Arab region and its spread to other continents. The second takes into account Arab immigration in Brazil, and the traditions and customs brought by these immigrants in the preparation of coffee.
And, in the last part, the recognition of intangible cultural heritage granted to Arab coffee by UNESCO. In this part of the exhibition, visitors will learn about the techniques used to extract the drink, as well as the etiquette surrounding the act of serving coffee. There, it must be prepared in front of the guests, for example. Another curiosity is that, whenever a groom is introduced to his possible bride, usually chosen by his family, he needs to drink three cups of coffee as a sign of acceptance of marriage,” says the coordinator.
The exhibit will also showcase majilis, spaces where members of a community gather to discuss local issues, politics, events, or simply welcome their guests to savor Arabic coffee. Various objects used in the brewing ritual, including the Ibriks, also came straight from Dubai for the show.
Ibrik came straight from the Dubai Coffee Museum.
And the sand of the desert!
Santos Coffee Museum team that conceived and materialized the exhibition.
The Coffee Museum is located at Rua XV de Novembro, 95, at the Santos Historic Center.
Full-entrance tickets cost R$ 10.00. Half entrance is intended for public employees from the state of São Paulo and seniors. On Saturdays, the show is free.For more information, visit: www.museudocafé.org.br
