Coffee & Rosa

A young woman was sitting inside a small wooden stall, one of those typical in the north of Iran, surrounded by sacks of dried fruits, with an old espresso machine.She was reading a book while waiting for customers. I stepped in and ordered a coffee. Curious about the antique machine, I asked her about it. She spoke eloquently about her love for different types of coffee, all while skillfully drawing a floral design on the foam of a latte before serving it to me.Then, we moved on to the real topic—books. She spoke of her deep love for reading and complained about the high prices that made acquiring books difficult.

After that first meeting, visiting her stall became a weekly ritual. I always brought her a book, and warm conversations followed. Over time she, along with her brother and husband, managed to open a small café.

In this modern café, the first thing that caught the eye was the bookshelf. Then, the paintings on the walls. Then, the array of homemade cakes—from Japanese cheesecake to mochi. And finally, the beautifully crafted latte art. Every detail reflected her personal taste and perspective on life.

Poetry nights, book readings, and discussion circles became part of the café’s regular events.
We suggested adding a film section where customers could borrow movies for free. She eagerly accepted, and we gifted her a carefully curated collection of DVDs—including our own works such as Rosa Luxemburg, Emma Goldman, The Theachers …

One day, I gently warned her, “All of this is wonderful, but if word gets out about these gatherings, what if they shut down the café? after all this hard work...”She cut me off and said with quiet determination:“I was, I am, I shall be.”*

*ORDER PREVAILS IN BERLIN by Rosa LuxemburgJanuary 14, 1919