The Bridge, in Holland, MI is hosting its 2nd Annual Fair Trade Oriental Rug Event September 27th through 30th at the store located at 18 W 8th St in downtown Holland. The event will include over 300 rugs of all sizes. At The Bridge, an outreach of Western Theological Seminary, we believe in a global economy that is sustainable and fair to everyone involved. This means providing well made, quality products for our customers and a fair livable income for our artisans. These rugs are exquisitely designed and crafted by an artisan group in Pakistan known as Bunyaad. Bunyaad, meaning “foundation” in Urdu, works to create strong foundations in the villages of Pakistan by paying a fair wage to its artisan families. Adult artisans who receive a living wage for their work are able to build better homes and living conditions, create educational opportunities for their children, foster better understandings among different religious communities and spread peace through fair wages and equal opportunities for men and women in the villages of Pakistan. These are the foundations created by fair trade and the Bunyaad group.

Join us on Thursday, September 27 at 6:30 pm for an Oriental Rug Seminar (followed by a rug preview) and learn how these rugs are made, why they are high quality and the difference they make in the lives of the rug artisans. No charge for the seminar, but please call 616-392-3977 for reservations. The rugs will be available to purchase during open store hours which are Thursday, September 27th from 10 am to 5:30 pm, Friday, September 28th from 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday, September 29th from 10 am to 5:30 pm, and Sunday, September 30th from 1 pm to 4 pm.