Leathercraft that connects generations

Erzhan Tolobek uulu has been passionate about leathercraft since childhood. After graduating from the Chuykov Art College with a specialisation in Decorative and Applied Arts, he began his career at the Ak-Maral leather factory, where he refined his skills and mastered the craft. He later returned to Naryn to establish his own business and share his craft with the community. 

Through SPCE’s entrepreneurship course, he gained practical business skills and secured a $5,000 grant, which enabled him to purchase essential tools and equipment. Today, the workshop produces saddles, bags and accessories, many featuring intricate Kyrgyz designs that honour the traditions of the region’s nomadic herders.

“The course helped me turn my art into a brand. I now have a thriving social media presence and customers from all over the country.” For him, leathercraft is about more than products and sales. “Crafts connect us with our past, carry the traditions and values of our ancestors, and keep our identity alive,” he says.

Today, the workshop employs locals, including his family members and local craftsmen, while also training young people in traditional skills and contributing to the preservation of Kyrgyz cultural heritage