The 17th Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival is currently hosting various workshops, competitions and exhibitions with artists from around the world participating until Aug. 6
Workshop brings artists togetherThe sixth International Handcrafts Workshop Festival exhibition featuring works by 41 artists from 14 countries and 81 artists from Turkey has opened its doors as part of the 17th International Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival. Speaking to the press, Anatolian Handcrafts Support and Improvement Association President Uğur Türker said that each artist participating in the exhibition is a cultural ambassador for their country.
"The artists who are attending the exhibition are artists that have been certified by the Culture and Tourism Ministry. They are all handcraft masters and producers. The exhibition features woodcarving masters from Şanlıurfa, knitting masters from Denizli, evil eye talisman makers from Nazar and scarf producers from Gaziantep. Various branches of art that are identified with different provinces of Turkey are represented in the exhibition," Türker said.
Emine Kanberoğlu, who is featured at the exhibition with her weaved şile cloth from Rize, said they have been able to introduce their art to the world thanks to the festival. "'Feretiko' weaving on şile cloth dates back hundreds of years. This weaving style was previously practiced by our grandmothers. As it was falling into oblivion, the authorities initiated projects to keep this tradition alive in 2013. Women in Rize still continue to practice 'feretiko' weaving on şile cloth. While they were used as underwear back in the day, these pieces of cloth are now used as accessories on dresses."
A woodcarving master from Şanlıurfa, Osman Nergis said that he has been involved in the art for the last 47 years. Nergis participated in various national and international exhibitions and offers classes and workshops on woodcarving to enthusiasts. Nergis underscored that he is a certified artist from the Culture and Tourism Ministry. "I am one of the artists who is trying to revive traditional arts. I have been participating in handcraft exhibitions and festivals since our ministry discovered us in 2004. I have been offering workshops in Skopje for the last three years."
The exhibition brings pottery making from Hungary, wood painting from Uzbekistan and silverworks from Georgia and Kosovo along with authentic handcrafts from Tatarstan, Turkmenistan and many other countries. The exhibition will stay open until Aug. 6.