The last Fez maker in Lebanon closes down his workshop after 12 years of work

In a special story today, As Safir newspaper portrayed the fate of the last Fez maker in Lebanon who decided to close down his age-old business in Tripoli and look for another promising career. Mohammad Shaar, in his thirties, has been manufacturing fezzes for 12 years and moving between the copper compressor, fire, Fez molds, straw and fabric, needed to create the original Fez. Mohammad, As Safir wrote, is sad to give up on his arty profession, and despite his participation in ‘Tripoli in Hamra’ event, the “ache is so deep that it cannot be described in writing,” he said. “It is the wound caused by a civilization which turns its back on us. It is heritage impaired by modernity and joy that is suffering incessant attempts to kill it,” Mohammad grieved. On the falling back of this traditional trade, As Safir reported that the Fez market customers have been reduced to a few sheiks and enthusiast tourists. However, the Fez, the newspaper added, remains common in funeral rituals in some regions of Lebanon where it accompanies the deceased to his tomb. No one is to blame for the fast changing of circumstances and fickle people’s preferences, the newspaper went on to say, while criticizing those who “could not care less for heritage and culture but seek to reduce tourism in Lebanon into recreation in sophisticated resorts”. (As Safir, December 30, 2016)

 

Previous related news: