120-Year-Old Alem Master Continues His Profession in Bursa

Rıza Akbalış, one of Turkey’s four world masters in Bursa, continues his 120-year-old family profession with great devotion. Stating that he has been working since the age of 14 in the workshop inherited from his grandfather to his father and then to himself, Akbalış said that he did not have any family members who could continue his profession after him.

In Bursa, 60-year-old Rıza Akbalış continues his 120-year-old family business, which has been going on for 3 generations, with the excitement of the first day. Akbalış, who has been continuing his craft since the age of 14 with the tools inherited from his father in his workshop in Abdal District, repairs the finials of many historical mosques in Turkey and exports abroad upon order. Expressing that there is generally a lot of demand from the Balkan countries, Akbalış says that he has been drinking to many countries of the world, especially the Balkan countries. Stating that there are only 4 alem masters left in Turkey, Akbalış noted that there is no one left to continue this profession after him.

He learned how to carouse from his father

Rıza Akbalış, who started working as an apprentice with his father after graduating from school, said, “We have been doing this profession for 3 generations, including my grandfather, my father and I, it is a 120-year-old profession. My father took me in as soon as I finished school at the age of 14-15. I received basic training with my father. He worked with my grandfather in the workshop.” And my father has tools. Since he is both my father and my master, I learned a lot from him. Ethics is very important in art. After receiving basic education, I continue in this line. Samsun, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. “There are only four people doing it in Kahramanmaraş and Bursa, but they do it in Istanbul. We do the craft with hammers. Unfortunately, there is no one in my family who will do this profession after me. I will continue this profession as long as my health allows it.”

He sent a world to the earthquake zone

Stating that he prepared a celebration for the historical mosques destroyed in Hatay, Akbalış said, “We are giving them to all over Turkey, especially to the Marmara region. We sent a few to Austria, Romania, Germany, Hungary and the Balkan countries abroad, and to America. A charity church abroad was canceled.” When it was completed, he asked for it to be used in the mosque that was being built in its place. I sent it as a gift without paying. Over time, the coppers change color, we lighten them. Sometimes they become warped, and we deliver them to a mosque that was demolished 20-25 days ago due to the earthquake. “A charitable person bought 5 finials for us. Mosques that were destroyed and damaged in the earthquake areas are being repaired. We will send 5 more finials when they are completed,” he said. – BURSA

Source: İhlas News Agency / Local