News

Nationality Rooms decorate for the holidays in preparation for open house

Decorative oranges, paper lanterns and flower garlands now adorn the nationality rooms, after committees representing most of Pitt’s 31 nationality rooms gathered together before Thanksgiving break to decorate the historic rooms for the holidays. 

For example, the Indian Room is decorated with flowers along with orange and white garlands to celebrate Diwali, the festival of colors. Meanwhile, firecrackers and decorative oranges adorn the Chinese Room to commemorate the Lunar New Year. Each of the rooms — except for the Turkish Room — was decorated for the holidays according to their respective cultures. 

“We light up firecrackers to scare evil spirits during the new year. All the writing on the wall is a greeting to the people who come in to visit your home. The oranges mean we hope to have a lucky, prosperity-filled new year,” Shellie Yeung, the committee chair of the Chinese Room, told Pittwire

Committee members’ decorations will be displayed at the Nationality Room’s annual holiday open house, hosted by the Nationality and Heritage Rooms Committees. The open house will be held in person at the Cathedral of Learning after a two-year hiatus on Dec. 4, from noon to 4 p.m. 

The open house will feature a variety of activities for guests to enjoy, including calligraphy demonstrations in the Commons Room and lessons on how to make Chinese knots hosted by the Chinese Room Committee.

Guided tours of the Nationality Rooms started Friday, where guests can see the holiday decorations. Guests must register at least four days in advance to receive a slot. Interactive online tours are also available for people who can’t travel to Pittsburgh. 

newsdesk

Share
Published by
newsdesk

Recent Posts

A chat with the Pitt Volleyball icon Cat Flood

On this episode of “The Pitt News Sports Podcast,” assistant sports editor Matthew Scabilloni talks…

18 hours ago

Meaning at the Movies | My Old Heart & “My Old Ass”

In this edition of “Meaning at the Movies,” staff writer Lauren Deaton explores how the…

18 hours ago

A Good Hill to Die On // What I Am Really Thankful For

This edition of “A Good Hill to Die On” confronts rising pressures even with the…

18 hours ago

Don’t Be a Stranger | Tiny Beautiful Things

In this edition of Don’t Be a Stranger, staff writer Sophia Viggiano discusses the parts…

18 hours ago

Students gear up, get excited for Thanksgiving break plans 

From hosting a “kiki” to relaxing in rural Indiana, students share a wide scope of…

2 days ago

Photos: Pitt Women’s Basketball v. Delaware State

Pitt women’s basketball defeats Delaware State 80-45 in the Petersen Events Center on Wednesday, Nov.…

2 days ago