International coffee expert Vadym Granovskiy, a UK champion and World Cezve/Ibrik Championship finalist, has announced an upcoming event in London dedicated to exploring Ukrainian coffee identity. The event, scheduled for December 2nd, will feature a lecture and discussion about the nation's cultural heritage, its prominent figures who shaped coffee consumption, and a tasting of a unique Ukrainian-inspired beverage that is making waves in Britain. The conversation will be co-hosted by Ukrainian TV presenter Olga Freimut as part of the gathering aimed at presenting Ukraine's deep involvement in European cultural and economic spaces. Granovskiy describes the forthcoming presentation as an "intellectual blockbuster narrative" based on "research and evidence" that clearly demonstrates the sophistication, education, and unique coffee culture of Ukrainian society, reports The WP Times citing Vadym Granovskiy’s Instagram page.
Participants of the event, which offers both online and in-person attendance, will gain exclusive insights into history. Granovskiy is set to detail the preferences of literary giants such as Taras Shevchenko and Ivan Franko, and discuss the coffee referenced by Vasyl Stus in his writings and sung about by Nazariy Yaremchuk. The discussion will also highlight the contributions of notable Ukrainian women, including Olga Khokhlova, the first wife of Pablo Picasso. The presentation will explore how Khokhlova inspired Picasso's "classical" period and introduced him to the vyshyvanka (traditional embroidered shirt). Furthermore, the expert will draw attention to Khokhlova's birthplace, the city of Nizhyn, where records show six operational coffee houses were already established by the mid-18th century.
The gathering will culminate in a special tasting of Granovskiy's signature drink, the Flat Red: a blend of black coffee prepared in a cezve (Ibrik) and pomegranate juice. Granovskiy characterizes the Flat Red as a fusion of "red and black," designed as an "excellent vehicle to carry the Ukrainian narrative into the large, complex world."
Read about the life of Westminster and Pimlico district, London and the world. 24/7 news with fresh and useful updates on culture, business, technology and city life: How to See the London New Year's Day Parade: Essential Viewing Tips
