Rahaf Qassas discusses Saudi coffee heritage and its rituals in society

The King Abdulaziz Public Library held a cultural meeting entitled: "Saudi Coffee and Society" the day before yesterday, at the services branch and reading rooms on Khurais Road in Riyadh, as part of its cultural program for 2022. Participants included Ms. Rahaf Al-Qassas, acting Director of the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society (We Are Our Heritage), and managed by Ms. Afnan Al-Khidr.

The meeting addressed Saudi coffee and its impact on Saudi society as an intangible cultural heritage and one of the most important factors of Saudi identity. It represents an expression of hospitality and national identity, and the meeting of the local community around the culture of coffee with its traditions and social practices, and rituals that manifest in occasions, holidays, and daily life.

Rahaf Al-Qassas mentioned that coffee has a historical dimension, and there are initiatives for restaurants to provide some Saudi drinks or food with an ancient heritage. The Ministry of Culture focuses on this, and there are great efforts to preserve heritage in direct or indirect ways, which will appear in the future on society, young businessmen, and new generations.

There is beauty in the types of coffee in different regions of the Kingdom, but they all come under the name "Saudi Coffee."

Al-Qassas believed that many Saudi restaurants have started to appear and become more widespread in Saudi society, even outside the Kingdom. There is interest in highlighting the Saudi identity and heritage on a regional and international level. There is a specialized museum for coffee, and I believe there are initiatives to establish private museums; we work collectively through the integration of efforts according to Vision 2030.

On the other hand, Rahaf Al-Qassas explained that working with UNESCO takes time to present the cultural file we show to UNESCO. This requires an effort to convey information clearly and understandably, as the community's role is essential in cultural heritage in general.

Rahaf Al-Qassas concluded by saying: "Our role is to preserve our heritage and customs internally before they , out to the world." She added, "There are many initiatives from the Ministry of Agriculture to maintain the planted coffee terraces, and there is an annual festival held permanently in some regions. International efforts continue with UNESCO and ALECSO to highlight and register Saudi heritage to contribute to its definition and dissemination globally."

The meeting is the second within the meeting program: "Afaq Women's Salon" after the "Saudi Fashion" meeting. The salon aims to read the cultural reality in its various literary, intellectual, heritage, and folk elements. The meeting provided the audience with diverse information about Saudi traditions and cultural identity through the symbolism of coffee and its inherent cultural dimensions in Saudi society.

It is noteworthy that the King Abdulaziz Public Library launched the (Afaq Women's Salon) as part of its multiple cultural and knowledge programs aimed at enhancing cultural and heritage awareness among various social segments.