Winter Holiday Traditions

Most of us celebrate holiday traditions passed down from our parents. These traditions nurture us and become an essential part of who we are. As part of this year's Holiday Open House, we present to you a few of the holiday traditions from the Nationality Room Committees. 

Winter Holiday Traditions

Ukrainian Christmas Eve Dinner

Ukrainian Christmas Eve Dinner

Enjoy this presentation from the Ukrainian Nationality Room Committee on their traditional Christmas Eve Dinner.

Tour of the Ukrainian Nationality Room

Ukrainian 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.

Bosnian Coffee Demonstration

Bosnian Coffee Demonstration

This is a demonstration of the cultural and ritual aspects of Bosnian coffee as presented by Vanesa Moro and Nerina Sivonjic.

Tour of the Yugoslav Nationality Room

Yugoslav 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.

Chanukah Traditions

Chanukah Traditions

The Israel Heritage Room presents Chanukah traditions, celebrations, and legends. Pitt students explain the traditions of lighting the menorah, playing with dreydels, and getting “gelt” (chocolate coins), and eating jelly-filled donuts called “sufganiyot.”

Tour of the Israel Heritage Nationality Room

Israel 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.

Diwali

Diwali

The Indian Room Committee shares a presentation on Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights.

Lithuanian Christmas Eve Dinner

Lithuanian Christmas Eve Dinner

Lithuania lies in the northern part of Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, along with its neighbors Poland, Latvia and Estonia. A mostly agricultural country, Lithuanian customs highlight their love of nature, family and country. Come see how Lithuanians celebrate the birth of Jesus, when the land is asleep under a white blanket of snow.

Lithuanian Christmas Traditions | Lithuanian Kalėdos Kūčios Traditions

Read about Lithuanian Christmas traditions and recipes. https://lithuanianmha.org/holiday-traditions/christmas/

Adventskranz (Advent Wreath) & Adventskalendar (Advent Calendar)

Adventskranz Advent Wreath & Adventskalendar Advent Calendar

As in many other Christian countries, in Germany Christmas is the most special time of the year. Although the most important ingredients of Christmas are similar across the world – festive cheer, family and food – each country has its own special way of celebrating this magical time of the year. These two Christmas traditions and rituals of the Advent Wreathe and Advent Calendar are quintessentially German!

Tour of the German Nationality Room

German 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.

Giant Lantern Festival

Giant Lantern Festival

 

San Fernando, Philippines draws crowds each year for its annual Giant Lantern Festival where teams compete to build beautiful and intricate parols or lanterns. After the competition, the lanterns are exhibited in public spaces for all to enjoy.