Pitt Nationality Rooms Holiday Open House Set for Dec. 2

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning Commons Room will be decked in its finest holiday décor as musical performances and seasonal treats from around the globe will be served from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at the annual Nationality Rooms Holiday Open House. The free event is open to the public.

The 29 Nationality Rooms that encircle the Commons Room will be decorated authentically to reflect their ethnic heritages. Guides in national dress will adapt their presentations to include descriptions of holiday traditions celebrated throughout the world. Eight drum and dance groups will give traditional performances throughout the day. At the same time, the sponsoring committees of the Nationality Rooms will offer foods and crafts for purchase.

The Nationality Classrooms are gifts to the University from Pittsburgh’s ethnic communities. Built between 1938 and 2012, the rooms are designed in architectural styles appropriate to the countries for which they are named.

Holiday tours of the rooms will run through Jan. 18. The rooms will be closed Dec. 24-26, 2012, and Jan. 1, 2013. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 8 to 18. For more information, visit www.pitt.edu/~natrooms/pages/holiday_info.html.

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