Storytelling and Children's Stories

A special feature of this year's event is the inclusion of storytelling and children's stories. Hear poems, stories about family heritage and so much more. 

Storytelling and Children's Stories

About Quo Vadis

Quo Vadis Promotional Video

Quo Vadis presents a video about the history and background of Quo Vadis. 

Introduction to the Finnish Language

Introduction to Finnish Language

Finnish is unique among Scandinavian languages. Unlike Swedish, Norwegian and Danish, it is not Indo-European but derives from a completely different language tree. Its closest relatives are Estonian, Sami, and Hungarian. While Finnish was first written in the mid-1500s, today its population has among the highest literacy rate in the world.

Birth of Iron

Birth of Iron

The Kalevala is Finland’s national epic. Its written form is based on ancient oral traditions that tell of God’s help in first locating deposits of iron ore. This video explains how Finns became among the first people to use the life-altering metal.

Streets of Pittsburgh

Streets of Pittsburgh

Did you know that Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh is not named for General and President Ulysses S. Grant, but is actually named for a Scottish general? Take a journey through some of the streets of the city of Pittsburgh, exploring the fascinating history behind the names you see every day.

Tour of the Scottish Nationality Room

Scottish Nationality Room

Enjoy a brief tour of the Nationality Room featured here as led by the Quo Vadis Guides. Quo Vadis is a Latin term which translates as "Where are you going?". Quo Vadis, founded in 1944, is a student club devoted to providing in-person tours of the Nationality Rooms to a wide variety of guests. Every year members of Quo Vadis interact with over 12,000 visitors who have arranged in-person, guided group tours.

History of Nationality Rooms Recipe Book

History of Nationality Rooms Recipe Book

When is a cookbook not a cookbook? When it is a Nationality Rooms Recipe Book. Learn about the history of the Nationality Rooms Cookbook in this fun presentation!

Howe Family from Northern Ireland

Howe Family from Northern Ireland

What is the importance of ancestry and why did the Irish come to Pittsburgh? This video illustrates some history, scenery, and the connection between the U.S. and Ireland. There is also a family connection between Pittsburgh (Knox Family) and Northern Ireland.

Livingston Farm Video

Livingston Farm Video

The Livingston family shows viewers the daily workings of a dairy farm and traces their ancestry to Pittsburgh, PA.

Tour of the Irish Nationality Room

Irish Nationality Room

Enjoy a brief tour of the Nationality Room featured here as led by the Quo Vadis Guides. Quo Vadis is a Latin term which translates as "Where are you going?". Quo Vadis, founded in 1944, is a student club devoted to providing in-person tours of the Nationality Rooms to a wide variety of guests. Every year members of Quo Vadis interact with over 12,000 visitors who have arranged in-person, guided group tours.

Origin of the Czechoslovak Nationality Room

Origin of the Czechoslovak Nationality Room

The Czechoslovak Room Committee presents the Origin of the Czechoslovak Nationality Room.

Poetry Reading of “Voglio fare un regalo alla Befana”

Poetry Reading of “Voglio fare un regalo alla Befana”

The Italian Room Committee presents a poetry reading of "Voglio fare un regalo alla Befana”.

Tour of the Italian Nationality Room

Italian Nationality Room

Enjoy a brief tour of the Nationality Room featured here as led by the Quo Vadis Guides. Quo Vadis is a Latin term which translates as "Where are you going?". Quo Vadis, founded in 1944, is a student club devoted to providing in-person tours of the Nationality Rooms to a wide variety of guests. Every year members of Quo Vadis interact with over 12,000 visitors who have arranged in-person, guided group tours.

Tour of the African Heritage Nationality Room

African Heritage Nationality Room

Enjoy a brief tour of the Nationality Room featured here as led by the Quo Vadis Guides. Quo Vadis is a Latin term which translates as "Where are you going?". Quo Vadis, founded in 1944, is a student club devoted to providing in-person tours of the Nationality Rooms to a wide variety of guests. Every year members of Quo Vadis interact with over 12,000 visitors who have arranged in-person, guided group tours.

A Season of Snow and Celebration - Winter and Holiday Children’s Stories

The Office of Special Events virtually hosts A Season of Snow and Celebration in which guest storytellers from the University of Pittsburgh community, including some of our Nationality Rooms Quo Vadis members, take you and your little ones on magical adventures to learn about new cultures, silly animals and all that winter has to offer.

Visit pi.tt/clubhouse and subscribe, so you never miss a premiere and to view the videos after they become available. 

December 1

  • There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow read by Quo Vadis
  • Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border

December 2

  • Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins read by Quo Vadis

December 3

  • World of Cookies

December 6

  • Light the Lights: A Story About Celebrating Hannukah and Christmas
  • Snowmen at Night

December 7

  • The Reindeer Wish

December 8

  • Stella, Queen of the Snow read by Quo Vadis  
  • The Snowy Day

December 9

  • Festival of Colors read by Quo Vadis

December 10

  • Too Many Tamales read by Quo Vadis   

December 13

  • Miracle on 133rd Street
  • Owl Moon read by Quo Vadis

December 14

  • The Little Reindeer

December 15

  • Strega Nona’s Gift

December 16

  • How to Catch a Snowman read by Quo Vadis
  • Cozy read by Quo Vadis

December 17

  • Brigid's Cloak read by Quo Vadis   

December 20

  • 5 More Sleeps ‘Til Christmas

December 21

  • Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter read by Michael Walter, NRIEP Tour Coordinator & Quo Vadis Advisor
  • My First Kwanzaa read by Carlton Scott, Chair of the African Heritage Room Committee

December 22

  • A Cobweb Christmas read by Quo Vadis
  • Under the Bodhi Tree: A Tale of Buddha

December 23

  • The Gift From St. Nicholas

December 27

  • Seven Spools of Thread