- Title: Traditional Algerian brassworkers fear for their profession
- Date: 12th May 2016
- Summary: CONSTANTINE, ALGERIA (MAY 4, 2016) (REUTERS) STREET OF COPPERSMITHS SHOPS MAN AND WOMAN WALKING IN STREET VARIOUS OF COPPER TABLEWARE FOUR COPPERSMITHS WORKING IN A WORKSHOP VARIOUS OF MEN MAKING COPPER TRAYS COPPERSMITH, ABDELHAK, ENGRAVING A COPPER TRAY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) COPPERSMITH, ABDELHAK, SAYING: "There aren't too many coppersmiths who work because there isn't a big demand, so they prefer to work somewhere else; for a company for example because they say there is no future for this craft, this is the reason why the majority of coppersmiths are old. Only few ones are young." ABDELHAK AND CRAFTSMAN MOHSSINE ENGRAVING COPPER TRAYS MOHSSINE ENGRAVING A COPPER TRAY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HANDICRAFTSMAN, MOHSSINE, SAYING: "It doesn't have a big demand either inside the country nor outside, and what we make here stays here. Tourists hardly ever come and buy few things but in general we don't sell a lot and we can't say that there is a future for this craft. Young men don't work on that anymore, only those who learnt it in the past. Many left this job because they don't earn a lot of money." TAHAR MAKING A COPPER TRAY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HANDICRAFTSMAN, TAHAR, SAYING: "This job is disappearing, our sons don't want to learn it because it is difficult and doesn't bring a lot of money and the copper is expensive." COPPER TRAY COPPERSMITH MAKING COPPER PICTURES FRAMES BRASSWARE SHOPS KAMEL, A SHOP OWNER, SHOWING SOME COPPER PANS TO CLIENTS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SHOP OWNER, KAMEL, SAYING: "I had twelve workers in this shop but they are gone, because they get tired making brassware and in the end they earn a little amount of money. I buy the kilo of copper with 1000 (Algerian dinar) (9.1USD) so how much should I give the coppersmith and how much should I sell the copper tray for example? We want the government to import the copper as before to cut prices." KAMEL SHOWING A BRASSWARE MADE OF OLD COPPER VARIOUS OF BRASSWARE A SHOP WITH A BANNER READING (ARABIC): "TRADITIONAL INDUSTRY" VARIOUS OF BRASS TRAYS VARIOUS OF CLIENTS LOOKING AT BRASSWARE
- Embargoed: 27th May 2016 11:08
- Keywords: Algeria Constantine brass brassware brassworking profession
- Location: CONSTANTINE, ALGERIA
- City: CONSTANTINE, ALGERIA
- Country: Algeria
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA0014HI2VYT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:In the eastern Algerian city of Constantine, known for its traditional handicrafts, there are concerns that many in the brass industry will soon be downing their tools for good.
Algerian brassware has a long history across the country, and Constantine in particular is known for its decorative brass trays.
Coppersmiths' street was once bustling with trade but many of the shops and workshops have closed as the profitability of the profession dwindles, and young people look elsewhere for work.
"There aren't too many coppersmiths who work because there isn't a big demand, so they prefer to work somewhere else; for a company for example because they say there is no future for this craft, this is the reason why the majority of coppersmiths are old. Only few ones are young," said 59-year old coppersmith Abdelhak.
The artisans are struggling with no tourism and a market flooded with cheap imported goods from China.
"It doesn't have a big demand either inside the country nor outside, and what we make here stays here. Tourists hardly ever come and buy few things but in general we don't sell a lot and we can't say that there is a future for this craft. Young men don't work on that anymore, only those who learnt it in the past. Many left from this job because they don't earn a lot of money," said 30-year old craftsman Mohssine.
Copper as a commodity, isn't always cheap, and it's difficult for craftsmen here to make a profit from the hours they dedicate to their labour.
"This job is disappearing, our sons don't want to learn it because it is difficult and doesn't bring a lot of money and the copper is expensive," said 60 year old craftsman Tahar.
"I had twelve workers in this shop but they are gone, because they get tired making brassware and at the end they earn a little amount of money. I buy the kilo of copper with 1000 (Algerian dinar) (9.1USD) so how much should I give the coppersmith and how much should I sell the copper tray for example?," added 46- year old shop owner Kamel.
Brassware is not the only part of the Algerian economy that is struggling - the country is taking steps to open up its economy after a sharp fall in energy earnings.
In April the government drafted a new investment law offering incentives to local and foreign businessmen in its non-oil sector.
The reforms have been promised since mid-2014 when oil prices started to fall, slashing state energy revenues by almost half and forcing budget cutbacks.
In March the north African sate decided to reduce its imports by 15 percent in 2016 to save foreign currency reserves as the crash of oil prices has put the OPEC state under financial pressure, that according to a letter to banks from the prime minister.
Since its 1962 independence from France, Algeria's economy has been largely a state-run, centralized system. Liberalisation and development of non-oil sectors have come slowly, and state bureaucracy remains a major concern for investors.
But craftsmen in the workshops here feel a lot more needs to be done by the state for their industry to regain its shine. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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