Syrian handmade glass industry is still reputable and appealing to all

Damascus, SANA – In spite of the remarkable development the glass industry in Syria has been steadily witnessing, handmade glass industry is still endowed with good reputation and appeals to people of all social classes.

The history of handmade glass manufacturing dates back to the Phoenician era as the Phoenicians were the first to discover glass.

Yet, the Syrians of today are considered the first to make handmade glass products by the blowing technique.

Khaled Hallaq, an owner of a handmade glass plant in Bab Touma neighborhood in Old Damascus, said to SANA that he and his ancestors have been working in glass manufacturing for a long time and their plant was established in 1967.

“We produce bottles, vases, pitchers, lamps, candle holders, chandeliers and accessories,” Hallaq added, noting that their profession basically depends on recycling glass benefitting from broken glass pieces as raw materials.

Hallaq noted that they participated in several exhibitions and festivals locally and on the international level, and were once honored in Iran.

Reem /H. Said