Turkish craftsman and farmer preserve local heritage through hands‑on work

Seventy‑four‑year‑old Süleyman Camkıran of Manisa’s Sarıgöl district has kept his tin‑working trade alive for 61 years, repairing old metal items, making new cookware and even fixing pesticide machines. He lamented the shortage of apprentices, saying the craft "still matters but young people are not interested."

Fifty‑two‑year‑old farmer Serdar Uysal in Çorum’s Örencik village transformed a portion of his land into a community picnic area near the Örencik waterfall. Building shelters, benches, swing sets and a small playground with his own hands, he named the spot after his late brother, calling it “Ünal’s Place.” Uysal encourages visitors to keep the area clean.

Both men use personal labour to sustain traditional skills and provide shared spaces for their neighbours.