Cafè philo (2021), PAR, Rome Art Week 2021, Piazza Testaccio, Rome IT

Caffè Philo is a participatory performance I conceived and presented during Rome Art Week 2021. The project invites patrons of a bar to engage in philosophical discussions on life’s big questions, in exchange for an espresso.

The concept draws on the rich cultural history of coffee in Italy, where coffee (qahwa) evolved from being once labelled the devil’s drink to becoming a symbol of social and intellectual gathering, especially after Pope Clement VIII endorsed its consumption in the early 1600s. This decree sparked the rise of coffee shops as hubs for socialising, where writers, philosophers, and politicians would convene.

The idea also references the revival of the philosophical café tradition that began in France in the 1700s and was reinvigorated by philosopher Marc Sautet in the 1990s. Sautet’s Sunday meetings at Café des Phares in Paris and his 1995 book, Un café pour Socrate, emphasised philosophy’s role in helping people understand the complexities of modern life.

Inspired by this Franco-centric tradition, but recognising its absence in Italy, Caffè Philo reintroduces the philosophical café concept to an Italian audience, fostering thoughtful dialogue in an informal, convivial setting centred around coffee. This blend of cultural history and participative performance highlights both the intellectual and social significance of the coffee shop experience.