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Silk brings hope for the future - 18th August 2023

This is the silk workshop of the Duman family. It's situated above the Turkish city of Antakya. The family has produced silk for many years. The area's on the ancient silk road, China's old trade route.

Emel Duman creates silk in the traditional way. The family doesn't kill the silkworms which produce the silk. That's why it's called 'peace silk'.

Emel Duman: "When I found out more about how silk is made, I realised that our elders, who sold silk cocoons, kept some and that at the end of the process, these were transformed into butterflies. Our elders, who wasted nothing and respected nature, used these cocoon remains to make clothes and sheets. So I said to myself that I should also produce in this way, without harming the silkworms, by letting them become butterflies."

In February, a huge earthquake hit the region and 50,000 people died. The Dumans' home was destroyed and they moved into the workshop. They invited 100 other people, also homeless, to join them.

The Dumans worried that they might not be able to restart their business. The business used to have 70 workers and many were women. Only seven of them have returned.

Emel Duman: "After the earthquake, for two months we couldn't think about ourselves at all. All we could think about was how to help others, that we were alive and that it was our duty. After two months, we asked ourselves what we could do here in our production and above all, we received a lot of supportive calls, from people who wanted us to get back on our feet and get back to work and who wanted to place orders with us."

There used to be 3,000 businesses in silk and other fabrics in this region, with 350,000 workers. An international organisation recently sent refugees from Syria to work here.

Now, Emel wants their special 'peace silk' to be protected. It will give value to their product.

This beautiful, old tradition is bringing new hope to the area.