December 5th annual is set aside as World Turkish Coffee Day, and is even added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2013.
UNESCO World Heritage since 2013. However, the day provides Turkish the opportunity to interact and promote this century-old tradition.
Speaking to journalists at the event, F. Turker Oba, the Turkish Ambassador to The Gambia, underscored the cultural significance of this century old tradition, recalling that since the 16th century, they've been drinking coffee in Turkey.
"So, it's also something that brings us together. It's an element of culture".
However, the event also witnessed presentations by the Yunus Emre Institution on method involve in preparing Turkish Coffee. The presentation also exposed guests to the historical background and how it became this important over time.
Ambassador Oba also indicated that many like it for its cultural significance especially in fortune telling.
"Fortune telling, yes. So, as I said, coffee is a mean of socialization. People get together, they socialize, they speak."
Also sharing insight, Sosseh Jeng from Linka Marketing Agency, described her experience drinking the coffee as ‘really amazing as every sip of the Turkish coffee was so rich and unique.
‘What amazes me the most is how the residue of the coffee is used for fortune telling. And what baffles me is when the groom is given the Turkish coffee with salt to prove his love and patience. I mean, that is so fascinating.’
Hassoum Ceesay, Director General at the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), spoke of his centre's good working relationship with the Turkish Cultural Centre.
"From the very beginning, we were associated with this project. We bring our artists here, we encourage them to come here, to pursue intercultural and dialogue."
The initiative, he added, would also help expose Gambians and to understand a lot more about the rich, culture and heritage of our friends and people.
"So, this is basically an important event and we are going to continue to pursue this collaboration."
He spoke highly of the old Turkish culture, saying the coffee tastes very nice.
"I think it's a very, very good experience. It's a good, you know, communal experience. I want to congratulate them and also to enjoin them to be organising this a lot more frequently, so that more and more Gambians will be exposed to the rich culinary and delights of people."
On the cultural significance and been recognised among intangible items by UNESCO, DG Ceesay noted that the Gambia is also working on having some of our drinks globally recognised by UNESCO.
