Damascus glassmakers struggle to keep their profession alive
Handmade glass industry is a long-standing profession that Damascus is famous -it is when fire and sand are combinedto produce fascinating pieces of glass.
The Syrians still preserve the traditional style in this industry in spite of the remarkable development in the glass industry through modern machines.
“Syria is famous for its various traditional industries such as copper, leather and textiles. Hand-made glass industry is one of the ancient industries that Damascus has specialized in since ancient times, as the first to blow glass in the world are the Damascenes” according to Othman Alaa Eddin, Head of the Glass making Association in Damascus countryside.
He pointed out that glass-making products range from mirrors, frames, pottery, and all kinds of glass used in windows, tables in addition to traditional products.
Alaa Eddin added the artisanal zones in Damascus countryside host the manufacture of glass handicraftsproducts such as pots , jars, and other traditional forms such as the lantern bottle, the kerosene bottle, and the hookah, which are produced from broken glass as a raw material by melting it to re-manufacture it in the required form with multiple molds.
Othman explained in a statement to SANA that the glass panels are produced locally by obtaining the raw material sand from the Al-Qaryatayn area in Homs, indicating Other chemicals are added to obtain the paste, and then the glass is withdrawn in two vertical and horizontal ways called “flute”, which is the best.
“ The association provides social , medical and financial services to the crafts men , secures raw materials , facilitates the marketing process, and holds courses to refine the skill of craftsmen” according to Alaa Eddin.
He indicated that a certificate of origin is also granted for exporting traditional products such as antiques and multicolored Phoenician glass, in addition to handing over the production of the glass factory exclusively to the craftsmen registered with the association.
A number of owners of glass-making facilities in Damascus countryside stressed that they struggle to revive and preserve this ancient profession which Damascus is famous for , pointing out that their facilities provide job opportunities for craftsmen who are skilled in making different kinds of handmade glass products.
Rawaa Ghanam