STORY: Traditional copper craftsmanship in Türkiye struggles in modern times
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 7, 2024
DATELINE: Dec. 5, 2024
LENGTH: 0:01:35
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Trabzon city in Türkiye
2. various of Zekeriya Dogan moulding copper plates with hammer strokes in his workshop
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): ZEKERIYA DOGAN, Copper master
4. various of kitchen products made of copper
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): ZEKERIYA DOGAN, Copper master
6. various of Zekeriya Dogan moulding copper plates with hammer strokes in his workshop, kitchen products made of copper

STORYLINE:

In a workshop resonant with the metallic percussion of hammering, Zekeriya Dogan transforms copper sheets into delicate culinary vessels.

Each strike of his hammer against gleaming metal tells a story of cultural heritage slowly fading into memory.

Nestled in the historic streets of Trabzon, a city perched on the Black Sea coast, Dogan's atelier is a sanctuary of traditional craftsmanship. Shelves lined with intricately crafted pots, lids, and teapots stand as silent witnesses to an art form struggling to survive in an era of mass production and technological convenience.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): ZEKERIYA DOGAN, Copper master
"Right now, I work alone here (in the shop). The fact is that demand for copper is steadily decreasing. In the past, there were many craftsmen, more than enough, but today there is no one involved in copperworking."

The decline is stark and undeniable. Where once nearly 100 copper manufacturers populated this street, now only three or four remain. This dramatic contraction reflects broader economic and cultural shifts challenging traditional artisanal practices across Türkiye.

The challenges are multifaceted. Copper cookware demands meticulous maintenance -- regular cleaning and re-tinning that modern consumers find labor-intensive. Additionally, the craft's labor-intensive nature makes its products significantly more expensive than mass-produced alternatives, further diminishing its market appeal.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): ZEKERIYA DOGAN, Copper master
"With copper, labor costs are significantly higher than those for steel, making our copper products more expensive. As a result, people tend to prefer more affordable options that are easier to clean and cook with."

Anatolian lands, the cradle of coppersmithing in the world, also have rich copper ore deposits. For example, academics have noted that the Ergani copper deposit in eastern Anatolia has been a site of copper mining for over 7,000 years. According to reports, there are nearly 500 copper ore deposits in Anatolia today.

Organizations like the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Artisans are mounting efforts to preserve this endangered craft. Through workshops, financial support, and cultural preservation initiatives, they hope to reignite interest in a skill that represents centuries of culinary and metallurgic tradition.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Istanbul, Türkiye.
(XHTV)