TEHRAN – The first coffee festival in Huzestan province opened in Arvaz on Tuesday evening, attracting residents and visitors from all over the country, state officials said.
Mohammad Jourvand, director of Khuzestan’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Bureau, said the festival was launched during Tourism Week and coincided with the birth anniversary of Imam Hassan Alskali (AS) in 11th Sea Am. Jourvand said the event highlights the coffee drinking tradition of Khuzestan’s Arab community, which was registered as part of Iran’s intangible cultural heritage several years ago. “The process of preparing, brewing, serving and drinking coffee among the Arabs in Huzestan, unlike in other states, carries certain customs,” the official explained.
The festival, which took place over two days from September 30th to October 1st, aims to promote culinary tours and intangible cultural heritage, Juln said. The first night attracted strong participation from the residents, while the second night included a panel discussion on the cultural significance of Arabic coffee rituals.
Other programs feature cultural performances by Arab and Bakhtiari groups, live music, handicraft exhibitions, children’s competitions, traditional tents, and video screenings showing tourist attractions in Kusestan.
Sources say that the coffee, known locally as “Khabe”, was introduced to Iran during the Safavid period in the 1600s after pilgrims encountered it in neighbouring countries. Shah Abbas I later ordered an import and commissioned my writings on its advantages and disadvantages.
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