Hüseyin Soyar, who began his tinsmith trade in Konya 39 years ago, remains the city’s last practicing tinsmith. Since opening his workshop in the Historic Wheat Market, he has continued his work with the same passion he had on his very first day.
Soyar explains that the profession is fading due to a lack of apprentices and declining interest. “As technology advanced, materials like glass, plastic, and porcelain replaced traditional utensils, causing tinsmithing to lose popularity. I started this craft 35 years ago alongside my father-in-law, and I still pursue it with the same enthusiasm. A few years back, I used to visit villages regularly and tin the pots of at least two to three households each day. But today, plastic, glass, and other modern containers have largely taken over the place of copper pots. With the decreasing demand, no one wants to learn the trade, so we can't find apprentices anymore. Right now, I am the last tinsmith left in Konya.”
