Bülent Yazıcı preserves traditional naht wood art in Erzurum

Bülent Yazıcı, a 52-year-old artisan in Erzurum, is working to preserve the traditional wood art of naht, a craft that originated in the Seljuk period and evolved during the Ottoman era. After discovering the art online approximately 15 years ago, Yazıcı taught himself the technique and subsequently earned master and master trainer certificates through the Ministry of National Education.

Recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as a ‘Bearer of Intangible Cultural Heritage,’ Yazıcı has produced nearly 2,500 works. He currently teaches courses at the Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality Vocational Training Courses (ESMEK) in the Yakutiye district to pass these skills to younger generations. The process involves transferring designs to wood and using hand and fret saws to complete the intricate pieces, a method requiring significant time and patience.