Amazon queens sold to Europe

ŞANLIURFA – Doğan News Agency

Kilims and ceramic trinkets produced by Turkish and Syrian women who attend courses in the Family Support Center in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa’s Harran district are now being sold in Europe, providing income to locals. 

The kilims are made of felt and depict the Amazon queens of the city. Women working in the ateliers have also added Amazon queen figures to kilims displayed at the Şanlıurfa Archaeology and Mosaic Museum. 

The kilims produced by 90 disadvantaged women trainees are sold to many Turkish cities and European countries at prices of between 50 and 300 Turkish Liras. 

Along with felt kilims, the women produce historic Harran Kümbet houses as ceramic trinkets and contribute to their families’ income. 

 “We have some 30,000 Syrian guests. We have initiated works to integrate them into society and they are working together with Turkish women,” Harran District Gov. Temel Ayca said. “These women’s products are being marketed; we sent most of the felt products to London. These hand-made products are inspired by the Amazon queens and have become a brand with the same name.”

Ayca said Harran had a high tourism potential but that they did not have products to offer tourists. “This is why we have initiated this work,” he added. 

One of the trainees, Cemile Yardımcı, said they had both learned art and earned money in the city center. 

“Here we produce Harran’s unique Kümbet houses, university and the castle using ceramic. We spend very good time here. People call us ‘Amazon queens’ here and like this title,” she said.