Nationality Rooms get holiday makeover

Nationality Rooms Holiday Open House Dec. 2 Noon to 4 p.m. Cathedral of Learning… Nationality Rooms Holiday Open House Dec. 2 Noon to 4 p.m. Cathedral of Learning 412-624-6150 Free Admittance

Students planning to study for looming finals and papers in the Cathedral this Sunday should come ready for some song and dance as well.

From noon to 4 p.m. the Nationality Rooms program will put on its “Holiday Open House.” The annual event is a chance for the University to celebrate its Nationality Rooms as well as the ethnicities and nations they represent with dance performances, crafts and a variety of foods from around the world.

According to E. Maxine Bruhns, the director of the Nationality Rooms program for 43 years, the event takes place every year during the holidays because they are a time when everyone’s unique cultural traditions get a chance to shine.

So in addition to the activities taking place in the Commons Room, each of the Pitt’s 26 nationality rooms have been trimmed with decorations reflecting each room’s ethnic heritage.

“We are always striving to preserve the authenticity of the decorations in each room,” said Bruhns.

Hence, this year the Christmas trees are only in rooms where they belong, such as Germany’s classroom. While other rooms have been decorated solely in accordance to the traditions of the nation they represent.

“The Austrian room will have a magnificently crafted wooden nativity scene and the Italian room will feature a ceppo [a pyramid shaped out of wood that is typically burned in the fireplace and carries various cultural meanings],” said Bruhns.

To keep up the spirits, the Indian heritage room has been decorated for Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, while the Israeli heritage room will be trimmed with Hanukah decorations.

“All of the ethnicities represented by the Nationality Rooms have a winter or end-of-harvest festival or holiday that is part of their tradition,” said Bruhns.

In addition, each of the rooms will have guides well-versed in their traditions and dressed in authentic attire from their nationality.

With performances running every 15 minutes, the event will feature most all of the nationality rooms.

“The [Holiday Open House] has an important historical purpose,” said Bruhns. “It is essential that we celebrate our unique traditions and don’t lose that old world authenticity.”