World Turkish Coffee Day marked in US

For Turks, coffee is not simply a drink, it is a lifestyle, Gizem Şalcıgil White, who is known as the Turkish Coffee Lady, said on Dec. 5 as the U.S. capital marked World Turkish Coffee Day. 

White is the founder of the Turkish Coffee Lady Foundation in the U.S. state of Virginia, which aims to promote Turkey's 500-year-old coffee culture, and its significant historical value while building intercultural cultures.

On the World Turkish Coffee Day, the foundation hosted a virtual celebration along with Habitat Association (Habitat), a non-governmental organization based in Istanbul.

"A cup of Turkish coffee is remembered with appreciation for 40 years, which means offering a cup of coffee binds a friendship," said White in her opening remarks.

Turkish coffee was added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Dec. 5, 2013. Since then, World Turkish Coffee Day has been celebrated on Dec. 5 every year.

Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. Serdar Kılıç also sent a written message to mark the day, saying that Turkish coffee has a history that goes back to the 16th century.

"It is more than coffee," said Kılıç, who added that Turkish coffee is symbolic of hospitality and friendship.

The U.S. capital has also declared Dec. 5 World Turkish Coffee Culture Day following an initiative by the Turkish Coffee Lady Foundation.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser thanked the foundation for "sharing the rich tradition" of Turkish coffee "and bridging cultures - one coffee at a time" ahead of the virtual celebration.

"This event will provide a history of Turkish coffee, help build bridges, strengthen friendships and develop an appreciation and understanding of Turkish culture and tradition," Bowser said...