'May the fourth be with you': Star Wars superfan on building his collection from scratch
Nuri Albarki (left) and his wife Caroline Walsh dressed as Tusken Raiders in preparation for the Feel the Force Festival that takes place on the June Bank Holiday in Dunmanway, Co. Cork. Picture: David Creedon
'A long time ago, in a Galaxy far, far away,' six-year-old Nuri Albakri wanted nothing more than to own a Star Wars toy. However, poverty meant that the young Malaysian boy's family and would-be Jedi Knight were unable to grant him this wish.
So the Star Wars super fan used the 'force', and embarked on a journey to build one from scratch.
Fast forward more than two decades, and in a galaxy closer to home, Nuri now is the proud owner one of Ireland’s most impressive Star Wars collections, which he has lovingly built, customised and curated over the years. And what began as young Jedi's dream has has now inspired a major two-day event in his town of Dunmanway.
The inaugural ‘Feel the Force’ festival — set to land in the town over the June bank holiday weekend — will see Dunmanway transformed into a playground for Star Wars fans. It will include workshops, makeovers, film screenings and demonstrations.
A Stars Wars-themed parade will bookend the event which is set to attract people of all ages and from all parts of the country. And each day will include a sensory-friendly hour in a bid to make the festival more inclusive.
Nuri, who is now head chef at the Leap Inn, said he is delighted that locals are feeling the force and have taken his pastime to their hearts in such a spectacular way.
The idea for a festival was sparked after Nuri opened his collection to the public with an exhibit that took place at Atkins Hall as part of last year’s Dunmanway Arts Festival. It included Nuri’s colourful array of self-made costumes, dioramas and customised toys.
Nuri recalls how his Star Wars journey began after making that first toy.
“When I was a child you couldn’t buy a Star Wars toy in Malaysia unless you sold an arm or a leg. Even me rolling around the floor in a tantrum wouldn’t have changed anything.
"My brother and sister didn’t have toys either. If you wanted a toy you had to make it yourself.”
Nuri said he would not be the person he is today without these struggles.
“All kids have to do today is ask their mum and dad for something and they get it. When I was a child we could be proud of what we made. When you make something that’s really good, it’s better than the feeling any manufactured toy can give you. If I had been handed toys from a shop I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”
“I was very good at art as a teenager. In the 80s and early 90s everyone had to work and earn money for their families. I knew I wouldn’t be able to go to art college because we were a poor family. Everything I learned was self-taught including the toys. I am still learning every day.
"It doesn’t matter what kind of work you do. Customising toys or making figurines is making art. You don’t have to have a brush and some paint to create art.
"YouTube is my university. I do my own tutorials on YouTube. Before, if we wanted to learn something we had to ask people. Now, all people need to do is check their phones.”
He describes the amount of care and attention he gives to his creations.
“I bought a storm trooper costume on ebay. It’s not like you can just buy them. You have to cut them and put on strapping. You also have to weather them before you wear them. Unless you have money and you’re going to buy some €2,500 worth of armour then that’s really your only option. I like to work on things instead of just having it handed to me. Even the Tusken Raider helmets were made from head to toe.”
The 50-year-old says his wife Caroline is his biggest fan and supporter. "It’s a lot of money to buy the toys but she encourages me and assures me they are worth the money. She is really supportive.”
Nuri said that his proudest moment was being featured in Star Wars magazine. “A journalist contacted me after seeing me on Insta and put me in the Star Wars magazine. I never thought the stakes would be so high and the whole world would see me. It is overwhelming to be getting this kind of publicity. Now, the community and chamber of commerce are building this whole festival around me.”
Nuri hopes the event will showcase Dunmanway in its best light. Dunmanway Clonakilty Credit Union, Cork County Council, Flux Learning, OM History Consultant and Dunmanway Chamber of Commerce are just some of the organisations that have got behind the event.
Donations collected over the weekend will be gifted to the Dunmanway Hub of Co-Action which provides support and opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
“This is the first ever festival of its kind in Dunmanway. We try to do everything big. People who live far from Dublin, where many of these events take place, will be able to come here. It’s a one-of-a-kind event, especially in a small town. Our plan is to put Dunmanway on the map.”
To find out more about the festival visit here.
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