Young Iraqi entrepreneur brings a taste of Ukraine to Baghdad with Kyiv Cafe

BAGHDAD, October 23 — In the bustling district of Ghazaliya, a cafe called Kyiv represents the entrepreneurial spirit of a young man who returned from Ukraine, escaping the turmoil of war.

Karam Mohammad Yassin said he opened Kyiv Cafe in Baghdad to remember the original spot he opened while studying in the Ukrainian capital. He was forced to shutter the original cafe due to the ongoing war with Russia.

The names of cafes and restaurants in Iraq often carry personal memories as entrepreneurs initiate projects intertwined with their personal experiences.

Yassin shared his personal story:

“I was studying dentistry in Ukraine and opened a cafe there named Kyiv. When I returned to Iraq after graduating and the war broke out, I contemplated opening the same project in Baghdad. Today, many people ask about the peculiar name. Over time, I’ve explained to customers that the name refers to the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv.

“I relocated my project from Ukraine to Ghazaliya and brought some touches from Kyiv, whether in the way we craft tables from wooden pallets or through the flavors of our hookahs. To this day, my eyes are on Ukraine and Kyiv. I follow the news there and stay in touch with my friends. This city is where I spent five years, and I aspire to see the name Kyiv spread in Baghdad and other governorates, with the hope that the cafe project will return to Ukraine itself.”

Mohammed Ali, a customer, shared his experience at the cafe, saying, “We come to this cafe for their shisha and meals. Initially, we thought the name Kyiv was related to relaxation, as in ‘how are you?’ [‘Keefak’ in Arabic]. However, we later found out that the name is that of Ukraine’s capital. It’s a beautiful choice.”