World Turkish Coffee Day was marked in Sofia with a reception hosted at the residence of the Turkish Embassy. The event brought together ambassadors serving in the Bulgarian capital as well as leading figures from the country’s cultural, artistic and scientific communities for a traditional Turkish coffee presentation.
Turkey’s Ambassador to Sofia, Mehmet Sait Uyanık, who hosted the event with his spouse Eda Ersek Uyanık, underlined in his remarks that Turkish coffee represents far more than a beverage.
"In Türkiye, coffee is not just something to drink; it is a story, a ritual and at times even a destiny," he said.
Highlighting the depth of Türkiye’s coffee tradition, Uyanık noted:
"In Türkiye, coffee is never consumed on its own. It is surrounded by an entire culture of taste and gesture. Before, during and even after the coffee, something is always served — each item adding its own touch of sweetness, elegance or freshness. Even the offerings that accompany the coffee aim to make the moment feel more special."
Emphasizing the unifying cultural value of Turkish coffee, Uyanık recalled the well-known saying “A cup of coffee commits one to forty years of friendship.”
"As you take a sip, remember: you are not simply drinking coffee, you are sharing a moment that may be remembered for decades," he added.
As part of the program, a special exhibition prepared by Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications for World Turkish Coffee Day was presented to guests. The exhibition featured visual narratives on the historical journey of Turkish coffee, its cultural symbols and its global influence.
Another highlight of the evening was a piano and flute recital featuring distinguished examples of Turkish music. Trakya University State Conservatory faculty members Gökçe Güven and Senem Güzey performed a selection of Turkish melodies for attendees.
Turkish coffee was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2013, and 5 December has since been celebrated as World Turkish Coffee Day.
