Public Discussion: "Coffee Tradition in Ukraine. History and Social Context"

In 2016, archaeological excavations in Kamianets-Podilskyi unearthed the remains of one of the ten "northernmost" Ottoman coffee houses that operated during the period of "Turkish rule" (1672–1699). Discoveries of Turkish, Iranian, and Chinese porcelain, along with tobacco pipes and other everyday items, vividly illustrate the diverse lifestyle of coffee aficionados in the Podillia region nearly 350 years ago.

Coffee culture began to take root in Ukraine as early as the late 16th century, heavily influenced by the coffee houses of the Ottoman Empire and the Crimean Khanate. This exotic beverage quickly became a staple of hospitality and a symbol of prosperity. Through Crimea and the Black Sea region, coffee culture spread to Central and Eastern Europe, reaching the Cossack elite, clergy, and nobility. The fondness for coffee held by Hetmans Bohdan Khmelnytsky and Ivan Vyhovsky is well-documented by their contemporaries.

On February 7, 2026, at 3:00 PM, we invite you to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine for a public discussion on coffee culture. Our experts will explore:

• The history and social context of the coffee tradition.

• The cultural phenomenon of the early coffee house as a social hub.

• How coffee became an essential attribute of the Ukrainian elite’s daily life.

• How coffee consumption defined community belonging.

Speakers:

• Pavlo Nechytailo – PhD in History, archaeologist, author of "The Ottoman Coffee House in Kamianets-Podilskyi."

• Oleksii Sokyrko – Doctor of Historical Sciences, author of "A Culinary Journey to the Hetmanate."

• Maksym Yaremenko – Doctor of Historical Sciences, specialist in the daily life of 18th-century clergy.

• Esma Adzhieva – Head of the "Alem" NGO, expert on the "Coffee Tradition of the Crimean Tatars" (UNESCO-listed intangible heritage of Ukraine).

Moderator: Oleksii Savchenko – PhD in History, Deputy Director of the NMHU.