NRP Holiday Open House

December 15

Ornamentation

The countries represented by the Nationality Rooms have unique ways of decorating for the holidays. Enjoy some of the ornaments, nativities, and tree decorating traditions our committees have to offer!

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Holiday Open House

Adventskranz (Advent Wreath) & Adventskalendar (Advent Calendar)

As in many other Christian countries, Christmas is the most special time of the year in Germany. Though the most important ingredients of Christmas across the world are similar – 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 Wreath and Advent Calendar are quintessentially German!

How Do You Decorate a Polish Christmas Tree?

A traditional Polish Christmas tree (Choinka) is decorated with hand-made ornaments of hollow egg shells, feathers, walnuts, Christmas wafers, apples and paper. The Christmas tree was originally hung in the center of the room and symbolized “All Things Good” for the Polish peasant in his world.

How to Make Irish Poppers

Irish Room Committee Member Elizabeth Myers demonstrates how to make Christmas Crackers.
 

Les Santons de Provence

This video features nativity scene figurines from the south of France that include figures from daily life of the region alongside the religious figures traditionally found in manger displays. These santons, or little saints, portray people and scenes that typify Provençal village and town life. The video explains the link between the nativity scenes and the French Revolution, while showcasing the rich and varied collection belonging to a member of Pittsburgh’s French community (complete with “Vive les Steelers” banner!).

Ornaments from Czech and Slovak Republics

Joe Bielecki presents ornaments from the Czech and Slovak Republics.

The 12 Days of Greek Christmas Trivia Game

Every day, beginning on December 7th and ending on December 19, 2020, we will host one game. Viewers can play the game anytime between 7AM-10PM every day. The game consists of 10 multiple choice questions that test your knowledge about the Greek Christmas Period traditions.

At the end of every gameday (10 PM), the players with the top two scores among all participants will win prizes:

  • Highest score: A bottle of Σπιτικό ultra-premium authentic extra virgin Greek olive oil (courtesy of Elaiourgiki A.E., Greece) & two cans of "TuVunu" mountain tea/honey-lemon drink
  • Second-highest score: A box of 25 assorted Lindt Christmas chocolates

Victorian Christmas Toy Soldier Display

Take a tour of this Victorian English Christmas display featuring hundreds of hand painted toy soldiers and period people from the collection of Dave Frankowski from the English Room Committee. This miniature display highlights many of the Christmas traditions that began during the reign of Queen Victoria. The setting for the display includes four Royal landmark buildings that still exist today. 

Quo Vadis

The German Room presented by Quo Vadis

Learn about the richly carved wooden and brightly stained-glass decorated German Room, as a Quo Vadis guide tells us about St. Boniface, the Christkind and other traditions.

The Polish Room presented by Quo Vadis

Exploration is the key to the Polish Room, as a Quo Vadis guide speaks about astronomy, navigation, universities, music and holiday traditions in the stately Polish Room.

The Turkish Room presented by Quo Vadis

The Turkish Room is described by a Quo Vadis alumna. Emphasis is placed upon the development of Turkey through the development of architecture.