Past Events

- English Nationality Room 144 First Floor Cathedral of Learning

- Skaidra Jančaitė
- English Nationality Room 144, Cathedral of Learning
Skaidra Jančaitė is a graduate of J Gruodis Conservatory and Lithuanian Music Academy with degrees in Choir Directing, Vocals and Instruments. She has taught music at all levels and performed as a soloist and as a member of the ensemble “Suburtynė“. Skaidra brings her wonderful soprano voice to Pittsburgh for an evening of performing and teaching Lithuanian folk songs with a focus on sutartinės, the most ancient style of Lithuanian folk songs.

3 Evenings - Exhibition of Maundy Coins and Coronation of King Charles III Special Events May 2, 3, and 4 in the English Nationality Room Join us as The English Nationality Room in partnership with Britsburgh and the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists celebrates the coronation of King Charles III with a special Coronation Week exhibition of genuine Maundy Money coins spanning the reigns of 17 British monarchs who ruled over the course of more than 360 years. Maundy money is traditionally given out by the Sovereign at a special Royal Maundy service held on the Thursday before Easter and, historically, was given to the elderly poor of London. The coins are specially struck for each monarch and, unlike ordinary currency, do not change over the course of the Sovereign's reign. It is traditional for the Sovereign to distribute gifts according to the number of years he or she has lived: For example, when she turned 80, the late Queen Elizabeth II distributed 80 pence worth of Maundy money to 80 men and 80 women in recognition for their contribution to community and to the church. The late Queen also decided Maundy money should not just be distributed to the people of London, and so she traveled to various cathedrals or abbeys to give gifts to local people, ultimately visiting over the course of her long reign every cathedral in the realm. King Charles III may himself choose to further innovate or modify these traditions. "We are honored . . . to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III," commented Tom Uram, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN). "One of the enduring symbols of the British Royal Family are the coins produced throughout their reigns, which everyone can recognize and many collect. This exhibit of Royal Maundy money is an important record of British history." The Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN) is a 700-member strong association of coin clubs throughout the Commonwealth with many members in Western Pennsylvania. " Our Maundy Money exhibition events will take place over the course of 3 evenings in the English Nationality Room of the University of Pittsburgh. You may sign up for as many of the 3 evenings as you wish; please register for each one separately. To register, go to www.britsburgh.com and visit the Events page. Tues., May 2, 2023 (6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) - Reception featuring British-style charcuterie and a special Coronation cake in the Braun Room of the Cathedral of Learning (12th Floor) and Maundy Money Exhibition and Talk by PAN President Tom Uram in the English Nationality Room. Wed., May 3, 2023 (6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) - Maundy Money Exhibition and Talk by Kim Szczypinski of Britsburgh on King Charles II, namesake of the present British Sovereign and the first to mint and distributed Maundy Money coins. Thurs., May 4, 2023 (6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) - Maundy Money Exhibition and Talk by Patrick McBride, Benjamin Franklin Reenactor, in character as Franklin on the topic "Ben Franklin, the Anglophile".

- various
- Global Hub
Join us and celebrate Hungarian culture through local history and food. Representatives of Hungary-related organizations and resources, both on and off campus, will provide remarks on the Hungarian Nationality Room, Hungary-related material in the Pitt archives, and the vibrant history of Pittsburgh’s Hungarian community.
Remarks:
Kati Csoman, Director, Nationality Rooms
and Intercultural Exchange Programs
Jonathan Naser, Chair, Hungarian
Nationality Room Committee
Viktoria Batista, Associate Professor of
Hungarian, LCTL
Éva Lovra, Hungarian Fulbright Visiting
Professor
Clare Withers, University of Pittsburgh
Library System
Dan Pennell, University of Pittsburgh
Library System
Katherine Novak, Chair, Board of National
Directors, William Penn Association
Judy Torma, Owner, Huszar Restaurant

- Dr. Shula Mola
- Cathedral of Learning, Room 332
Activist and scholar Dr. Shula Mola, named one of Israel's most influential women in Globes magazine, will discuss the emergence of Black identities in Israel. In particular, she will consider the role played by Ethiopian Jews in developing Israeli perceptions of Blackness. Dr. Mola earned her PhD in Communications from Ben Gurion University of the Negev, and her research focuses on the study of social stratification in Israel.

- Dr. Eva Lovra
- Hungarian Nationality Room
The fundamental interconnectedness of all things: Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning
The interior of a building gives hints about what the building itself can be like. What form, construction period, architectural style determines the image it shows. This lecture seeks to find connections between the designing principles of three of the Nationality and Heritage Rooms of the Cathedral of Learning: the Yugoslav, the Hungarian, and the Austrian Rooms, and finds them in the interior design solutions. Three different rooms and three different nations, the connection between them is not apparent. It becomes more evident when we consider that from the 19th century until the early 20th century, some areas of the three countries were not part of a nation state, but of a multinational empire, Habsburg Central Europe. On the other hand, it’s also interesting to note that the design in two of the rooms (the Hungarian and the Yugoslav Rooms) is the imprint of the nation states that emerged after the First World War (Serbia, Hungary, Austria).
In this presentation we will look at:
- the distinction between nationality and ethnicity and how these two notions are represented or rather underrepresented in the Yugoslav architecture and the Yugoslav Nationality and Heritage Room, which was built in 1939 and designed based on the folk traditions in the then Yugoslav Monarchy
- the connections between folk and neo-baroque in Hungarian art, emphatically in architectural design and music. The close analysis of the designing principles of the folk-themed Hungarian Room (built in 1939) will show how the twenty-year period of becoming a nation state after being part of a multinational empire, brought an increased presence of neo-baroque and modern elements in Hungarian architecture and music. Palpable influences in the works of émigré art, music, and architecture. Béla Bartók’s work preserving and incorporating the Hungarian folk music tradition in his compositions.
3. Last but not least, the presentation show us the unique characteristics of the Austrian room (built in 1996 but designed in 1976). For instance, the way it imitates the architectural style of the period and the Esterházy Palace, where Haydnsaal, or Joseph Haydn's music hall is located. The location in and of itself deserves an elaborate examination: the other palace of the Hungarian prince, Prince Nicolas Esterhazy, the Esterházy Palace, the "Hungarian Versailles" is Hungary's grandest Rococo edifice, located in Eszterháza, today's Fertőd, Hungary.
In summary, the lecture examines the connections between nationality and ethnicity, neobaroque and rococo in architecture and interior design.
Dr. Éva Lovra holds a Ph.D. in Architectural Sciences and has conducted postdoctoral research at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, and at the University of Novi Sad. She is a senior lecturer/adjunct professor at the University of Debrecen's Department of Civil Engineering, teaches in the English-language Urban Systems Engineering M.Sc. program, and serves as a lecturer and doctoral supervisor at the Doctoral School of Earth Sciences.

- Frick Fine Arts Auditorium and Cloister
This forum is organized and sponsored by the Chinese Heritage Room Committee of the Chinese Nationality Room of the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, University Center for Internatioal Studies, University of Pittsburgh.
Chinese Heritage Room Committee of the Chinese Nationality Room was established in 1939. It has since served as a hub for promoting Chinese scholarship and culture at the University of Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities. For details, please visit the Chinese Nationality Rooms website https://www.nationalityrooms.pitt.edu/committees/chinese-room-committee
At this event, the Chinese Heritage Committee will present the history of the early Pittsburgh Chinatown and the contribution of the Chinese immigrants to the Southwest Pennsylvania. Local community leaders are invited to speak about their role in building a more diversified and equitable communities around the region.
Free to public. Seating is limited, please register at link to attend.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chinese-american-experiences-in-pittsburgh-...

- https://pahellenicfoundation.org/Teachers/
Within the first 100 years following the fall of Constantinople, many of the teachers of the geography inside which Greek people lived, fled to the west, north, and east. Greece was largely orphaned of education opportunities. Together with the church clergy, the cadre of the few remaining teachers began the monumental task of rebuilding the education of the Greek people. By the start of the Revolution, this cadre of the Teachers of the People swelled to more than 1000 lesser-known educators-heroes whose role in the Greek peoples? struggle for Independence is just beginning to be discovered. Join us to commemorate the lesser-known Teachers of the People: MARCH 25, 2023 | 7 P.M. "The Lesser-Known Teachers of t he People: An Introduction and a Reflection for Modern Times" MARCH 26, 2023 | 7 P.M. "The Awakening of Hellenic National Identity and the Education of the Greek Nation" March 27, 2023 | 7 P.M. "Chrysostom Tsiter of Austria: Unveiling Three Great Teachers of the Greek People - Anastasios Gordios, Chrysanthos Aitolos, and Fragkiskos Kokkos" March 28, 2023 | 7 P.M. "Epistemiologic Mythology and the "Legend" of the Hidden School: The Examples in Attica" March 29, 2023 | 9 P.M. "A Musical Tetraodeon to the Kollyvades Fathers as Teachers of the Greek People"

- Cathedral of Learning, Romanian Nationality Room, 130
Join the members of the Romanian Nationality Room Committee in a celebration of World Poetry Day! REGISTER FOR LIMITED SEATING: pi.tt/nriep-world-poetry-day FEATURED PERFORMERS: Cristana A. Bejan-- Award-winning Romanian-American historian, theatre artist, and poet Prof. Dr. Marius Leordeanu-- Professor at Politehnica University of Bucharest, Research Scientist at Institute of Mathematics Laura Bianca-- Romanian-American singer and songwriter Mircea F. Lupu-- Romanian-American guitarist LIGHTREFRESHMENTSAND RECEPTION TO FOLLOW with the Romanian Nationality Room Committee. PARKING AVAILABLE AT Soldiers and Sailors Parking Garage: 4390 BigelowBlvd., Pittsburgh, PA15213

- Alumni Hall, Connolly Ballroom
The Spring Festival of the Egg is a family oriented event welcoming the coming of Spring in many ethnic traditions as featured by members and friends of the Nationality and Heritage Room Committees at the University of Pittsburgh. Activities include: Egg Decorating, Palm Weaving Demonstrations, The Festival Of Colors, Spring & Easter Customs, Special Children's Egg Decorating, Easter & Springtime Coloring Pages, Jelly Bean Guess, Egg Festival Marketplace and more. This event is eligible for Outside of the Classroom Curriculum Credit for Pitt Students. Please refer to https://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/occ/how-to-complete-the-occ/.

- Zoom

- Global Hub
Learn the history of Mărțișor and join the members of the Romanian Room committee to make your own and for your friends. Learn more about this Romanian tradition which falls on March 1 of every year during which the gifting of a red and white string attached to a small piece of jewelry or a flower is believed to bring health and luck to the wearer. Learn about mărțișoare and making them. You will also be able to purchase authentic mărțișoare, Romanian pastries, enjoy an exhibition of traditional Romanian costumes and shirts, and connect with members of the Romanian Room Committee.

- Ana Bakić
- White Whale Bookstore

- Frick Fine Arts Auditorium and Cloisters
Join the Indian Nationality Room Committee at the University of Pittsburgh as they present a celebration of India's Republic Day with an afternoon of food, dance performance, and short film that highlight Indian culture. Free event; food will be available for a nominal fee. Space is limited to 150 so please register if you wish to attend. In case of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled, and registrants will be notified of cancellation. To register, please click here.

- Cathedral of Learning | Commons Room & Nationality and Heritage Rooms
The Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs 31st Holiday Open House will return to an in-person event on Sunday, December 4, 2022 from 12-4 pm in the Cathedral of Learning Commons and in the Nationality and Heritage Rooms.
In the spirit of an open house tradition and to foster connections among neighbors, members of the Nationality and Heritage Room Committees will welcome guests into the Cathedral of Learning for an afternoon of exploration and engagement. Guests will be invited into the Nationality and Heritage Rooms which will be decorated for the holiday season. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in traditional crafts and cultural demonstrations to learn about the rooms and the Nationality and Heritage Room Committees and their ethnic communities and traditions. In the Cathedral of Learning Commons, guests will enjoy traditional foods and baked goods as they listen to world and holiday music and shop for handcrafted and cultural wares and other items that represent the cultural diversity of the Nationality and Heritage Rooms. St. Nicholas will make an appearance for photos with children and families.
The event is free and open to the public. Food and gift items will be available for purchase. We look forward to welcoming you home to the 31st Holiday Open House to celebrate traditions and make memories!
Co-Sponsors:
- Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs
- University Center for International Studies
- Nationality and Heritage Room Committees
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