Forgotten handicrafts are being revived at Altınköy Open Air Museum. Craftsmen who come to Altınköy Open Air Museum from various provinces of Turkey come together with the people of Ankara to pass on the cultural heritage of Anatolia from generation to generation. Cicim weaving master Gülcan Koca, who continues to keep traditional handicrafts alive within the Amasya Şehit Mehmet Gök Public Education Center, both sets up a loom and shows weaving and exhibits her products. Visitors who want to see the Cicim weaving technique closely and get information can visit the traditional handicraft businesses at Altınköy Open Air Museum.

“CİCİM IS A TYPE OF WEAVING FROM THE AMASYA TAŞOVA REGION…” 

Master instructor Gülcan Koca, who came to Ankara from Amasya, said that she was very happy to introduce the art of cicim weaving at Altınköy Open Air Museum. Stating that they are here to keep traditional handicrafts alive, Koca stated that the art of cicim weaving was brought to light by weaving on floor looms. "We introduce our art of cicim weaving by weaving it on floor looms. Our warps are made of colored threads and our weft thread is a single color. We are trying to bring this almost forgotten art to the present day with products such as rugs, sacks, saddlebags, shepherd's bags," said Koca, emphasizing that cicim weaving is a special type of weaving belonging to the Taşova region of Amasya.

Koca gave the following information about the cicim weaving process: 

"Cicim weaving begins with the careful twisting of the threads on spinning wheels. The prepared threads are turned into warp and woven on centuries-old looms, usually with single-colored weft threads. The resulting products become eye-catching handmade pieces that can be used for both functional and aesthetic purposes, such as rugs, sacks, saddlebags and shepherd's bags."

“NOT ONLY WEAVING, BUT ALSO TRANSFER OF EMOTION…” 

Master instructor Gülcan Koca emphasized that this art is not only a weaving but also a transfer of emotion. Koca said, "In the past, when a young girl was liked in the village, a rug was laid out in front of her. This was a way of saying 'There is life in our house, be our bride'. The rug was the language of emotions..." 

Koca also stated that the materials used in weaving were chosen without breaking away from tradition. Stating that the production is made on looms consisting of stick, sword, tripod, sparse, shuttle and four sticks, Koca said, "We weave not only yarn but also culture on these looms. There is history, labor and story in every stitch."

“WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALTındağ MUNICIPALITY AND MAYOR TİRYAKİ” 

Stating that Altınköy offers a very good opportunity to promote this traditional art, Koca said, "We thank Altındağ Municipality and Mayor Mr. Veysel Tiryaki for offering us this opportunity."