Artisans in Turkey preserve traditional crafts and local economies

In Turkey, local artisans are preserving traditional crafts and driving small-scale economic activity through specialized manual labor.

In the Demirci district of Manisa, 92-year-old Mehmet Ali Ağaçcı continues to practice the craft of saddle making, a profession he began as an apprentice in 1951. Using materials such as plane and hornbeam wood, cane, hemp, and leather, Ağaçcı creates custom saddles designed to ensure animal comfort and health. Despite the decline of the trade due to the rise of automobile use and the closure of local inns, he continues to repair old saddles and manufacture new ones for customers from surrounding districts.

In the Akçakoca district of Düzce, 50-year-old Sema Akın has transformed a hobby into a professional business. After receiving training in tile processing and various decorative arts, Akın established a workshop beneath her home to restore old furniture. Her process involves repairing, cutting, sanding, painting, and aging pieces to give them a new appearance. In addition to furniture restoration, she produces decorative items using wood, polyester, and ceramics, contributing to her family's economy.