Municipality of Talas, Kayseri
Talas Paper
A historic stone mansion was transformed into an atelier and museum producing paper from Talas’s own mulberry tree.
Background
The Talas district of Kayseri holds a deep history and a distinctive natural heritage. The municipality wished to transform this heritage into a living cultural identity. The starting point was a mulberry tree native to the area: the Talas Mulberry. The idea that this tree could become the raw material for a paper brand belonging to the city formed the nucleus of the project.
Approach
A paper formula unique to Talas was developed from the fibres of the Talas Mulberry, and the production process was standardised. The historic stone mansion was transformed into a functional hand papermaking atelier and a museum open to visitors. Those who would carry out production in the atelier were trained directly through the traditional master-apprentice method.
Outcome
Today the atelier operates as an active space followed with keen interest by daily visitors. Students encounter the paper-making tradition through atelier visits; it has become one of the city’s prominent cultural stops for international tourists. Talas Paper has become an original gift that the municipality presents to its distinguished guests.