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A new organization, the Arslantepe Antique Dealers Association, has been founded in Malatya to help antique enthusiasts access accurate information and ensure that items considered cultural heritage are preserved and transferred to future generations.
A five-member team of experts formed within the association provides free information to residents about antique items found in their homes.
Association Chairman Haci Bayram Gaspak told reporters that there is a great deal of misinformation circulating in the city regarding antiques.
Gaspak said the association has been providing auction services in Malatya for two years, adding that those looking to buy antiques are sometimes unable to properly assess items due to a lack of knowledge.
Gaspak explained that many residents lost cultural heritage items inherited from their families during the earthquakes that struck the city on Feb. 6, 2023, adding that some residents now wish to acquire similar items to replace what they lost.
"Items such as radios and gas stoves inherited from their fathers were lost under the rubble, and now they want to replace them," Gaspak said. "People told us they had been given incorrect guidance while trying to find these items. That's why we established our association together with a team of experts."
Gaspak emphasized that the perception of antique collecting as an expensive hobby is inaccurate, stating, "You can start a collection with as little as ₺100. Antiques are a form of culture and heritage, and we will work to pass that down from generation to generation."
Gaspak noted that the association will also contribute to the development of museum culture, adding that as public awareness grows, interest in museums and collecting is expected to increase as well.
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