Rebel Without a Coffee

Описание: This week in Belgium and many other countries, Armistice Day was commemorated, a solemn occasion to pause and reflect on the devastation of war and its most tragic extremes, including genocide. In keeping with the spirit of peace, this episode takes a step back to explore how cultural traditions can bring people together. We reflect on the origins of coffee, tracing its journey from Ethiopia through Yemen and into wider Islamic culture, where it became intertwined with Sufi practices and eventually spread across Europe. Alongside coffee, we highlight other contributions from Islamic scholarship, such as advances in medicine, mathematics, and philosophy, which shaped global history.

The conversation also turns to cinema: Adil & Bilal’s powerful film Rebel, which portrays the human cost of violence, and George Lucas’ Star Wars trilogy, where themes of rebellion, redemption, and universal struggle resonate across cultures. We consider how these works, though very different, both invite reflection on humanity’s search for peace and meaning.

Erratum
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In the discussion, it was mentioned that coffee originates from the Middle East. To clarify: Arabica coffee plants are native to Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan, while Yemen is credited with developing the first coffee culture and spreading it globally.

George Lucas’ inspiration for the Jedi is debated. While there are claims of links to Sufi traditions, Lucas also drew heavily from Japanese culture and other sources.

The episode’s analogy between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam using Star Wars is a creative interpretation, not a historical or theological consensus.