Samsun Culture Road Festival Highlights Diverse Artisan Workshops

The Turkey‑wide Culture Road Festival in Samsun has featured a series of hands‑on workshops across its program. Children aged 8‑12 turned mud into ceramic figures at the museum, with instructor Nagihan Gümüş Akman noting the activity was “an unforgettable day” for the participants.

A miniature art exhibition was also presented, showcasing eight works created by students of the Turkish Islamic Arts Centre. Lecturer Uğur Karataş explained that the pieces illustrate the enduring relevance of miniature painting in contemporary culture.

Women learned to craft everyday items from corn‑leaf stalks using the traditional Bafra zembili technique, turning waste material into baskets, bags and wall panels. Instructor Gülsen Karabayır said the practice “turns discarded material into art.”

In a separate glass‑making session, participants experienced melting and shaping glass for the first time under artist Aslıhan Turna, who emphasized the medium’s sustainability and limitless creative possibilities.