BISHKEK — Qahwa World

The capital’s coffee scene celebrated a major milestone this week with the grand opening of the large-scale COFFEE FEST KG Festival at the Kozhomkul Sports Palace. The event successfully brought together hundreds of coffee industry professionals, from bean roasters to equipment suppliers, alongside a surging community of local coffee enthusiasts.

The festival underscores the rapidly accelerating growth of Kyrgyzstan’s coffee market. This sentiment was echoed by Bishkek City Mayor Aibek Dzhunushaliev, who attended the grand opening and delivered a speech noting the critical and growing importance of the coffee industry to the city’s overall economy.

For years, Kyrgyzstan has been a traditional tea-drinking culture, but as global trends take root, Bishkek has seen a vibrant emergence of specialty cafés, making coffee a significant imported commodity. The festival serves as a critical professional platform for this emerging market.

A Full Program for Professionals and Fans

Spanning a packed two-day program, COFFEE FEST KG offered a comprehensive look into the “bean-to-cup” process. The Sports Palace was transformed into a bustling hub of activity, featuring:

  • Industry Education: Market experts delivered intensive master classes and lectures covering essential topics such as roasting techniques, advanced brewing methods, customer service standards, and current global industry trends.
  • Major Exhibition: A substantial exhibition area showcased the entire coffee supply chain. Attendees networked with manufacturers, specialized roasters, suppliers of professional equipment, packaging solutions, and essential accessories.
  • Competition and Demonstration: The energy peaked during the barista competitions, where top talents from Bishkek and the wider Central Asian region tested their skills in front of expert judges. Public demonstrations also allowed visitors to get a first look at the newest cutting-edge professional coffee equipment entering the market.
  • Tasting Zone: The popular tasting area offered guests a chance to sample rare and exotic coffee varieties sourced from around the world, as well as a selection of unique signature drinks crafted by local baristas.
  • Giveaways: The event capped off the energy with a major prize draw, open to all attendees, featuring high-value items, including new smartphones.

The success and scale of COFFEE FEST KG confirm the capital’s role as an important nexus for the specialized coffee community in Central Asia. By offering a blend of professional development, competitive spirit, and consumer engagement, the festival has firmly established itself as an annual must-visit event for anyone passionate about the craft and business of coffee.