Shanghai: Free tastings, specialty shops, a night market and World Barista Championship qualifying events will all be featured at Shanghai’s upcoming coffee-themed festival.
Organizers hope the event, Shanghai Coffee Culture Week, will create a much-needed inspirational vibe in the city, which has been endeavoring to contain the COVID-19 outbreak since March.
The festival is being organized by the Shanghai Cultural and Creative Industry Promotion Association and the Shanghai Food Association. It will run from Thursday to Aug 18, with its opening ceremony to be held at the Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trading Center.
Wang Yayuan, deputy director of the municipal administration of publicity, said on Friday during a news conference that the number of coffee shops in Shanghai had grown to 8,000 as of June 30 despite the bitter effects of the outbreak.
“The vigorous development of coffee culture in Shanghai shows the charm of Shanghai-style culture, nurtures the city’s unique spiritual character and has become an important window for citizens and tourists to experience the local culture, warmth and quality of life,”Wang said.
Food delivery platform Eleme will provide 50,000 cups of free coffee on Friday, and customers will find special offers at hundreds of coffee shops during the festival, organizers announced on Friday.
–The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
