A few weeks ago, it was a main Shopping center of Kahramanmaraş in Turkey looked deserted and desolate.
The province was the epicenter of powerful Earthquakes that struck southeastern Turkey and uprooted it millions of spirits.
the city The center was dotted with collapsed buildings, thousands fled to safer cities, and who stayed , took Refuge in shelters.
Little over A month later, signs appeared of A renewed life is no place more Also from Tarihi Maraş Carşisi (Historic Maraş Market), one of The city is its most famous historical monument and center trade center.
Instead, as shopkeeper Necmettin Sajdir puts it: “It is the heart of Shivering.
One of dozens who They reopened their businesses, Sağdere hopes those who haven’t yet follow Fit sooner rather than later.
We were unable to open the file stores for Three weeks because we were afraid. So shops He was shut All that time,” he told Anadolu Agency (AA).
“We realized that staying in home Not useful. all of us need something to help us an agreement with pressure. So I told my friends I will be reopening store … we fixed some of “The damaged parts moved on,” Sağdere noted.
continuous stream of people He was moving Along cobblestone streets of sprawling market The complex, which is believed to have existed since the fifteenth century.
the crowds Growing day by day, Sağdere said, who Sell all kinds of copper utensils. A few feet away, an elderly man was flicking dust off replaced interface. Once done, call out to two young Laborers help him withdraw up shutter.
inside it small shoprolls of The fabric is stacked on shelves and even more were scattered across a floor littered with shrapnel of Glass – visible aftermath of devastating tremors.
“I reopened my file shop for the first Mahmoud Dogan said, who I worked in market for About 50 years old.
“We will try to hold on on to life. If I could come here, if I could workI will work, God willing, he said.
at the far end of The market, its winding streets, Imran Tolo A young Woman, he sat down behind stacks of Shawls and scarves scroll through her phone.
One of Little women back to work She said in the bazaar decision To reopen was paid more from just financial considerations.
“our shop was open for about a week. that it good for us And our mental state. For this he asked the owner us to reopen it help us I feel better. our work helps us Tolo said.
Like Sağdere, she is also look forward to see market Back to her usual boisterous self.
“we need people’s support Now,” she said.
Business in the commercial center of Kahramanmaraş is still far from what it used to be, but the indications are encouraging.
Sağdere said a lot shop The owners have not returned to Kahramanmaraş yet, but plan to return after Ramadan, the start of the Muslim holy month in late March.
“They still are out of the city. Most of They will come after Eid al-Fitr,” referring to Ramadan Bayram holiday This marks the end of Ramadan.
“They don’t want back before that. Of course, everyone has a psyche problemsbut I believe the number of shops Re-opening will increase after Ramadan.”
