2024-09-08 18:57:33
If Heike Makatsch had taken off his shoes, he could learn a lot. About the Turkic matriarchal people of pre-Islamic times, for example, about their symbols and their traditions, which continue to modern Turkey. “But you want to keep your shoes and then you want to leave again,” said Beyza Özler, who sees herself not only as a carpet dealer, but also as a kind of cultural mediator.
Apart from the famous actor – and that’s how Makatsch’s account was initially accepted – most people would have no problem complying with Özler’s request to get their feet wet. And so we, too, stood barefoot in their dog-like shop in Mitte on one of the hottest afternoons in August; Not on the bare concrete floor, but on the most beautiful kilims.
Beyza Özler has been selling traditional carpets from various regions of Turkey in her store Wild Heart Free Soul for ten years. “All the masterpieces, unique pieces that are between 50 and 200 years old,” Özler said. “I only buy vintage kilims woven in private homes for personal use at some point.” Today, however, only a few mothers pass on their knowledge of art to their daughters.
Beyza Özler (right) talks with weavers in Turkey.Izzet Kulaksiz
In industrial Turkey, colorful carpets, which years ago had many functions, have failed in time: in particular kilims that are defined as a distinctive feature for families – and also as a medium for women. Özler explains: “The weavers can express their feelings and thoughts about their craft, and they communicate it in a very specific way, especially decades ago when many women in the countryside he cannot write.
In more liberal coastal areas, more authentic kilims are created than in conservative areas.
Beyza Özler
Accordingly, your vintage carpets will also tell a lot about the status of women in different regions of ancient Turkey. “On the Aegean, and in general in the more liberal areas, kilims that affirm the world in bright, cheerful colors are created, while in more conservative areas such as Anatolia line -sun, more melancholic designs in heavy, dark tones are created,” says Berliner, whose parents came to Germany from Turkey as an official guest.
The tradition of carpet weaving, however, goes much further back, even going back several millennia to pre-Islamic times. Many signs still testify to this today. Beyza Özler says: “The mother goddess, for example, who appears in many forms of decoration, is referring to the thick book that stands on the window in her shop. “God from Anatolia,” it read – the goddess of Anatolia.
Many kilims depict shamanic motifs from pre-Islamic times, for example the mother goddess.Wild Heart Free Soul
The angular female figure refers to the shamanic practices of the early Turkic peoples, in which the mother was seen as important in the matriarchal society. “The tradition of kilims and their symbols also come from these times,” Özler said. “I was immediately attracted by the fact that kilims are feminine and mysterious.”
When I was pregnant with my first daughter, it occurred to me that I could not give her any roots.
Beyza Özler
Özler himself came to the subject of carpets in a circular way that can be roughly summarized as follows: Turkish traditions played a background role in its development; As a Berliner-by-choice who grew up near Stuttgart, it was more important for his parents to adapt to their new home. At first he did not learn the Turkish language himself and – apart from two or three weeks of summer vacation in his grandparents’ village – he had little contact with the culture of the country between the Middle East and Southeast Europe.
But when I became pregnant with my first daughter, it suddenly occurred to me that I would not be able to tell her anything about my family.” So, after working in a garment factory, he decided to study Turkish Studies at the Free University of Berlin. “It’s like an awakening experience,” says Özler, his green eyes lighting up.
A carpet by Bauhaus legend Gunta Stölzl has been reproduced.Wild Heart Free Soul
After completing his studies, he entertained the idea of introducing Turkish culture to other people through appropriate travel offers. Beyza Özler lived in the southwestern Mediterranean city of Kaş for two years and decorated her small house there – of course – with many kilims.
I have been working with Mustafa for ten years, who finds suitable carpets for me all over Anatolia.
Beyza Özler
Pregnancy with a second daughter then brought her back to Germany; In your luggage you are not only magical memories, but many kilims. Özler says: “I first sold them a bladder that was taken out of a car. “Eventually, over time, that came to my current carpet business.”
In his shop, however, Berliner merchants have a limited market: the tradition of carpet weaving is dying out and it is very difficult to get vintage carpets from private homes. “I have been working with my business partner Mustafa in Istanbul for ten years, who finds suitable carpets for me all over Anatolia,” says Özler. How long the supply will be difficult to predict.
Each kilim is washed and then placed in a place under the Turkish sun for two to three months.Wild Heart Free Soul
So Beyza Özler also wants to make new kilims in the future. In the province of Uşak, in western Turkey, he found a craftsman and a few days ago bought his own breast. A project that Özler noticed last year can also be seen as a kind of pattern for creating new kilims.
In collaboration with the Uşak-based textile mill and the London designer Christopher Farr, which was commissioned to reproduce Gunta Stölzl’s carpet designs, an even more beautiful design by the Bauhaus legend was reproduced in an edition of ten pieces. “In addition, every woman in the textile factory in Uşak weaves her own kilim, which is displayed in my shop with the Stölzl carpet,” says Özler. Some Bauhaus design is also available and can be ordered from him.
Its vintage carpets, which are mostly made of wool and, in rare cases, also of cotton, cost between 350 euros for small models and 7,800 euros for larger kilims. . Reasonable price when you know about the sophisticated craftsmanship and time consuming cleaning. “Each of my kilims is washed and then placed under the Turkish sun in a place in Antalya for two to three months for further cleaning process.” With patience and enthusiasm, Beyza Özler likes to tell everyone who enters her shop about it. But only if they take off their shoes!
Wild Heart Free Soul. Kastanienallee 55, 10119 Berlin. Mon-Sat 12pm-6pm. www.wilheartfreesoul.com
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