How to Get Involved

Why not learn a traditional art or craft?

Türkiye's rich history and culture are witness to an enormous artistic variety that has thrived in this region.

Outside of Türkiye

Of course, the best place to learn a Turkish Handicraft is in the country itself but if you’re not able to visit or are wanting to follow up after your trip there are still some possibilities.

Yunus Emre Institute

Yunus Emre Institute (Yunus Emre Enstitüsü) is a world-wide non-profit organization created by the Turkish government in 2007. Named after the famous 14th-century poet Yunus Emre, it aims to promote Turkish language and culture around the world. Here is the website. There are centres all over the world and some offer traditional Turkish handcrafts courses (as well as Turkish Language Courses), both by physical attendance and online courses. For example, the centre in London (U.K.) current course are listed here

In Türkiye

İstanbul has something to offer everyone. Acquire a skill and embark on an artistic adventure in İstanbul where a number of workshops and courses are offered throughout the city on Ottoman arts, Turkish musical instruments and decorative arts. Why not have a go at one of these art forms? Many of the courses are open to beginners and you could even walk away with a masterpiece you made yourself!

In other parts of the country there are also courses and activities that you can try for yourself. For example in Cappadocia some local guesthouses offer courses in ceramics and carpet weaving as part of a creative holiday. They also offer sculpture, dance and music, combined with excursions and hikes in Cappadocia. In the workshops the traditional handcrafts and folklore of Türkiye are the most popular. For instance, it is possible to learn how to throw pottery on a wheel, make plates and decorations or to learn traditional carpet weaving.