Qahwa Sada: A Shrine

A Country’s Obstacles
Conjured On Stage

Aya Kordy

Have you ever been to an Egyptian funeral? Was it of a friend or a family member? Did they serve Qahwa Sada (black coffee)? According to Egyptian tradition, black coffee is strongly linked to grief and sorrow. Therefore, at a funeral people who come to offer their condolences are served Qahwa Sada, and it is exactly this tradition that the play refers to. Out of 45 plays produced by the annual Egyptian National Theatre Festival, during their 11-day show, one specific play attracted the biggest number of critical views. This play is Qahwa Sada.

Qahwa Sada is not really a play in the traditional sense, with a plot line and gradual development in the characters’ lives. It is rather a number of scenes set together to give a sort of overview of the many flaws of today’s Egypt. Many consider the opening scene as "the most original, even though it’s the most nostalgic of them all." As the 21 actors slowly begin to appear on stage, lights gradually increase with a poignant and moving melody along with it. The actors slowly bury items from the days when Egypt was a prosperous and an affluent country; pictures of political leaders, old actors and actresses, and items that symbolize the good old days.

Although this was a very heartbreaking scene, there were others that were very hilarious. During an hour and a half, the audience observes a scene after the other of almost everything that is wrong with Egypt; lack of ethics among the youth, spread of favoritism, misuse of power by the Egyptian tycoons, the hideousness of modern architecture compared to what Cairo was 50 years ago, absurd fatwas, the weakening of family relationships, the increased poverty and marriage expenses. These issues led girls to become old maids and boys to die in the sea as they try to illegally enter Europe. Qahwa Sada also focuses on the loss of the sense of belonging and the awareness of one’s history. 　

Qahwa Sada was first performed on July 1st, 2008 and scheduled only for 3 weeks at the Cairo Opera House. The show made it all the way to Alexandria and because it was such a great hit, it was performed to Cairo audiences for the last 10 months, and it is still performed with unfailing success. Many celebrities went to see the show, famous directors like Khaled Youssef and Sherif Arafa, several ministers, and even the First Lady, Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak.

Qahwa Sada mourns over everything that many Egyptians long for, from the decreasing bond between families to the deterioration in the economy and the disintegration of the new generation. Qahwa Sada transformed the Opera House into a shrine for all art lovers. From the creation of the first scene you will immediately notice how the impromptu script reflects a true picture of reality, the audience was the mirror that reflected the script. Every moment on stage was matched with an experience once underwent by a member of the audience."Qahwa Sada reached the greatest degree of creativity, and it has definitely raised the bar."