Carriage driver with 50 cm mustache tickles the hearts of visitors to Turkey’s Konya

Known as "the Scimitar of Sille" on account of his half-meter mustache, Ali Osman Uygun of central Turkey's Konya, with his musicianship and love of animals, serves as a source of joy for the people around him.

Born and raised in Sille, a historic neighborhood of Konya's Selçuklu district, which has been inhabited for 5,000 years, the 35 year-old Ali Osman Uygun has had a lifelong interest in music and animals.

Uygun, who earns his living by giving both locals and foreign tourists horse-drawn carriage tours of his neighborhood, is known as "the Scimitar of Sille" due to his 50-centimeter (20 inch) mustache.

Visitors to the city who see his mustache for the first time can't hide their surprise and even take pictures, and the Scimitar of Sille is perfectly pleased to be the center of attention.

Uygun, who feeds songbirds, pigeons, cats, and dogs and grows plants in his garden, lives a life in harmony with man and nature. His positive energy leaves a smile on everyone's face.

Uygun says that, although he has never taken lessons, he has mastered numerous instruments, including Turkish stringed instruments such as the saz, oud, and baglama, as well as drums, clarinet, and violin. He explained that he works to his utmost in pursuit of his daily bread.

Tourists are frequently just as interested in his mustache as in his horses, Uygun said, and often want to photograph both.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Uygun said, "People come from Izmir and Istanbul on tours always seek me out. They tell me, 'When we come to Konya we always want to see you.'"

"Nothing makes me happier than making other people happy," he added.