December 8
Cultural Performances
Each year we highlight traditional dances and songs at the Holiday Open House. Music is a big component of the festivities. It makes us happy and joyous and connects us with our heritage!
Holiday Open House
First Class Bhangra
First Class Bhangra was established in 2009 as Pittsburgh's Premier Bhangra Team and recently became a student-run Univerisity of Pittsburgh organization. Bhangra is an Indian folk dance from the north Indian state of Punjab. Bhangra was mainly done to celebrate the harvest in Punjab but has now spread all over the world. The dance is high energy and accompanied by a large drum, called a dhol, as well as many other instruments. Throughout FCB's history, we have competed all over the country and placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at many of those competitions.
Helvetia Mannerchor at the Cathedral of Learning
The Helvetia Mannerchor performs at the Cathedral of Learning.
Marco Fiorante Performing Christmas Hymn
Pittsburgh-based tenor, Marco Fiorante singing the most popular traditional Italian Christmas song, "Tu Scendi dalle Stelle." The song was written in 1732 by Saint Alphonsus Liguori, an Italian Catholic bishop, and is now sung on stages and in homes all over the world.
Performance by Anoush Tchakarian
The Armenian Nationality Room is pleased to present Anoush Tchakarian, Adjunct Professor of Piano in the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University. Anoush generously recorded a performance of "Lullaby" from Aram Khachaturian's ballet Gayane. This arrangement for piano was done by Professor Villy Vahani Sargsyan, Honored Artist of the Republic of Armenia.
Romanian Christmas Carols with Laura Bianca
Get into the holiday spirit by listening to Romanian Christmas carols. Usually, groups of people carol from house to house to celebrate with the hosts one of the most important Romanian holidays - Christmas. Following Christmas, children build sorcovas and use them as "magic wands" to wish everyone health, hapiness, and Happy New Year. We hope you enjoy building your own sorcova!
Slavjane Folk Ensemble Carpatho Rusyn Folk Dancing
Enjoy the Slavjane Folk Ensemble performing traditional Carpatho Rusyn Folk Dances.
Sue Borowski Performs A Winter Set
Sue Borowski of the Scottish Room Committee performs Scottish Folk Songs.
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
Quo Vadis
The Greek Room presented by Quo Vadis
The Greek Room is described and holiday foods and St. Nicholas are explained in a two -guide presentation. Even remotely studying Quo Vadis guides participated in the videos.
The Japanese Room presented by Quo Vadis
Quo Vadis presents the Japanese Room and its impressive arhcitecture and reasons for being, as well as cultural artifacts and the celebration aspects of the New Year.
The Lithuanian Room presented by Quo Vadis
The Lithuanian Room video shows us the connection of nature and history; the Quo Vadis guide, dressed in a century old Lithuanian dress, connects this to the Christmas meal.