National Museum of Qatar Director, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Thani (right); Ambassador of Indonesia to Qatar, H E Ridwan Hassan (left); and other officials during the opening of the exhibition.
Doha, Qatar: An exhibition delving into the intricate connections and historical significance of coffee in both Qatar and Indonesia opened its doors at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) yesterday.
Titled “Growing Kopi, Drinking Qahwa; Stories of Coffee in Qatar and Indonesia,” the event was orchestrated in collaboration with the National Museum of Indonesia to commemorate the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture, and will run until February 17, 2024.
During the opening, NMoQ Director, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Thani emphasised the profound power of shared narratives in fostering understanding and collaboration. He pointed out that this power becomes strikingly evident through the ‘Growing Kopi, Drinking Qahwa’ exhibition. The exhibition delves into the cherished traditions of hospitality, dialogue, and creativity interwoven with the art of brewing, serving, and sharing coffee, he explained.
Ambassador of Indonesia to Qatar, H E Ridwan Hassan, speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of the event meanwhile hailed the exhibition’s significance, especially considering its role in the Qatar-Indonesia Year of Culture 2023.
He noted that it was not only one of the major events of the year but also the longest Indonesian exhibition held in Qatar, spanning almost five months. He highlighted that coffee transcends mere commodity status, and that it helps to unite and connect individuals from all backgrounds and cultures.
In his speech, the envoy noted: “There is an old term in Arabic, Al Qahwah al ‘Arabiyyah al ashiilah, or the Divine Arabic coffee, which signifies more than a culinary heritage for Arabs; coffee is a symbol of warm Arabian hospitality, their best commodity, and a strong part of their identity.”
“For centuries, Arabic coffee has been transported all over the world, including Indonesia, which then beautifully intertwined with Indonesia’s rich topography, making it the widest variant of ‘Kopi Arabika’ in the whole world. In Indonesia, the coffee rituals go far beyond the simple act of drinking coffee. The preparation and consumption of coffee involve particular processes and rituals, typically accompanied by the act of socialising, sharing stories, and building connections with loved ones and friends.”
“One reminder as you enjoy our best coffee, as said by Palestinian Poet Mahmoud Darwish - Coffee should not be drunk in a hurry. It is the sister of time, and the sound of taste,” he concluded.
Upon entering the exhibit, visitors are greeted with a visual feast of huge coffee leaves and flowers meticulously incorporated into the exhibit’s design.
The exhibition offers an interactive experience, featuring massive installations, images, books, audio-visual presentations, an interactive touch-screen game, and even allowing attendees to savour the aromas of various coffee beans.
Visitors can also explore one of Indonesia’s most popular coffee shops, Filosofi Kopi, through a short video clip. The exhibit also showcases a diverse range of coffee pots used to make qahwa across the Arab world and presents a short film delving into the etiquette of serving and drinking Arabic coffee. Other elements include Wayang topeng malangn, a form of masked dance from the Malang region in East-Java Indonesia, Indonesia’s Batik cloths with a coffee theme, and an exploration of the coffee and entrepreneurship scene in Qatar.
The “Growing Kopi, Drinking Qahwa” exhibit is organised into five thematic sections, each illuminating a unique aspect of the coffee culture. The first section, “What is Coffee?” introduces visitors to the coffee plant and its prized beans, explaining the origins of the term “kopi” (coffee in Bahasa Indonesia) from the Arabic word for coffee, “qahwa.”
The section “Growing and Trading Coffee” delves into the history of coffee in the Arab world and Indonesia, tracing its journey from the forests of Ethiopia to Indonesia’s Java Island; “Roasting and Brewing” immerses visitors in sensory experiences involving coffee beans and spices; the section “Serving and Drinking” focuses on the rituals associated with coffee consumption in Qatar and Indonesia.
The final section, “Coffee and Creativity,” explores how coffee fosters creativity in both Qatar and Indonesia. It celebrates Indonesian cultural practices like batik textiles and traditional mask dances while also highlighting the contributions of Qatari artists and entrepreneurs.
Complementing the exhibition are a series of engaging public programmes that involve local coffee shops, artists, and baristas from Indonesia. These include barista experiences and competitions, special tours, and partnerships with local shops. Visitors can look forward to events like “Coffee in Qatar and Indonesia” on October 25, the “Brewing & Storytelling Competition” on October 28, and “A Story of Arabic Coffee” on October 30 and 31.
