Nomad's Tent seek donations for sale to benefit Syrian conflict victims

Edinburgh antique and textiles dealers the Nomad's Tent are planning a very special curated sale this month to raise money for the Mercy Corps, the international organisation dedicated to helping people in conflict zones and poverty-stricken areas to survive. Throughout March, the exhibition space at the Nomad's Tent will be given over to the Syria in Focus exhibition and sale. In the run-up to the event, which launches on 7 March, the organisers are requesting donations of interesting objects, textiles, jewellery, furniture and rugs which fit the shop's aesthetic – the donations will then be sold, with the proceeds going to the Mercy Corps to help with their work.

The Nomad's Tent, situated in St. Leonard's Lane in Edinburgh, specialise in Middle Eastern textiles, jewellery, ornaments and furniture, and has long been known as the city's premiere specialist in the dealing of traditional Arabic, tribal and Eastern antiquities.

The organisers hope that their Syria in Focus campaign will raise awareness of the plight of the Syrian people, and draw attention to the ongoing political, social and humanitarian crisis unfolding there since 2011. Marwa Mouazan, Arabic teaching Fellow at Edinburgh University, will be giving a talk titled ‘Syria: 40 years of oppression, pain, and suffering,’ exploring the historical oppression of the Syrian people (19 Mar), and Dr Thomas Pierret, Lecturer in Contemporary Islam at Edinburgh University, will be exploring the complexities of modern-day Syrian politics (20 Mar).

On 22 March, the most unique and valuable objects donated for the sale will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in a Grand Sale, hosted by Gavin Strang of Lyon and Turnbull Auctioneers. Those who wish to bid will be able to preview the auction items throughout March, and leave bids in absentia. The entire proceeds of the sale, which finishes at the end of March, and the auction will be donated to Mercy Corps, with the Nomad's Tent generously covering their own costs and overheads. This is a chance to make a real difference, and perhaps acquire some elegant new objets d'art for your personal collection – visit the Nomad's Tent website for more details.