[CLSTR]
< Back to all clusters
[CULTURE] · Türkiye · 2 sources

started · updated

Part of situation: Ali Rıza İşçi wire toy making in Manisa (2 clusters)

Ali Rıza İşçi teaches traditional wire car making to children in Demirci

wire car making cultural heritage Bilim Demirci Ali Rıza İşçi Demirci

In the Demirci district of Manisa, 69-year-old craftsman Ali Rıza İşçi, known locally as ‘Dede’, led a workshop teaching children the traditional art of making nostalgic wire cars. The event took place at Bilim Demirci, a science center established by the Demirci Municipality with support from TÜBİTAK and the T3 Foundation.

During the session at the Design Workshop, children and their families used construction wire, pliers, and cutters to create their own models. While many boys focused on building cars, girls designed wire swings and cradles. The workshop aimed to preserve local cultural heritage and encourage manual dexterity in an era of digital technology.

Bilim Demirci, which opened in September 2025, features five specialized workshops covering fields such as technology, astronomy, and mathematics. The center has reportedly served approximately 18,000 students within its first year of operation. Ali Rıza İşçi has committed to continuing his work by offering voluntary wire car making courses at the center.

Entities

Ali Rıza İşçi · Bilim Demirci · Demirci Municipality · T3 Foundation · TÜBİTAK

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Demircili çocuklar nostaljik tel araba yapımını öğrendi [www.manisadagundem.com]
Ali Rıza İşçi'nin atölyesinde çocuklar nostaljik tel araba ustalığını öğrendi [www.aksiyon.com.tr]