Two women who received pottery training within the scope of the European Union Support project in Aydın’s Çine district have continued to thrive 17 years on.

The project prepared in 2005 by the cooperation of Çine Municipality and potter masters in the Akçaova Neighborhood in Aydın to transfer the pottery profession, which is in danger of extinction, to the next generations was accepted and supported by the European Union.

The course, attended by 20 men and 10 women, lasted 10 months, 5 days a week. Of the students who attended the training, only Meral Özkar (51) and Belma Desti (55) took over the center where they received training after improving themselves and started production.

The other students turned to other professions. Özkar and Desti, who also employ their husbands, have been producing pottery and sending it to all corners of Turkey for 17 years.

Clay made from gray and red colored soil is shaped by skilled hands with the help of sponges. The prepared casserole dish are kept inside for a day or two and then the turning process is done. Then they are left in the open air in the sun. The dried pottery is put into the oven and cooked for 7-8 hours at 800 degrees. After the cooking process, the casseroles are taken out of the oven and ready for sale.
Meral said that the soil in their region is more suitable for making casseroles. Stating that they produce trays, plates, pans, casseroles, cups, sugar bowls, coffee pots, special holiday pans for the holiday, jugs, gourds and ornaments, Özkar said that they spend most of the day producing.

Meral, who stated that their profession is actually a man’s job, said, “Our profession is very difficult, but it seems like child’s play to us. Those who visit our workplace say it is very easy. When they get to the loom and try to shape the clay, they understand how difficult the job is.”