Potter from Farka makes earthenware for clients from south to north

29/01/2022 20:55

“I learned from my father, my father was taught by my grandfather and so on it’s for 4 generations we worked clay pots here in Farka”, says Bashkim Plaku from Farka in Tirana, adding that his profession requires a lot of patience.

The potter says that clay pots give a special flavor to the food therefore the earthenware pans are required by housewives and restaurants all over the country.

“We take the raw material here in Farka over half a meter underground, transport it and then leave it in a water for 24 hours. Then I work it on that old machine and finally shape it. Then the vessel should stay for a week to dry until it gets to the baking process.

Who buys these pans?

“In the beginning, only Central Albania demanded them, but now pans are required from Himara in the south to Thethi in the north.”

Do you see it as a profession or a passion?

“I have not dreamed of any other job except this profession. Clay is everything to me, I feel pleasure when I work with it, when I deal with it I forget everything”.

Bashkimi says that with great effort he managed to pass the profession to his young son, but unlike the father, he seeks to realize not only traditional clay vessels but also modern ones.

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