The Eighth Tribe, 1979 (6. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1979-06-01 / 6. szám
June, 1979 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 7 E. TUBA: NATIONALITY ROOMS PITTSBURGH UNIVERSITY The eighteen International Classrooms which circle the vaulted Commons Room of the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning are rooms with a view, a view which encompasses all mankind. The Rooms are masterful renditions of the finest artistic traditions of ethnic groups, but they are also vital symbols of the University’s far-reaching program of international cultural and educational exchange. The eighteen Nationality Committees which inspired and created these Rooms are now engaged in this vaster undertaking: a project to achieve intercultural communication, a wholehearted campaign for increased understanding of the eternal truths cherished by men everywhere. It was early realized that Pittsburgh’s many nationality groups had in their diverse cultures a unique and priceless heritage to offer the University. The Nationality Committees had their beginnings in 1925, at the time that the University of Pttsburgh was engaged in erecting its soaring Cathedral of Learning. When the nationality groups expressed a warm desire to contribute to the building of the new Cathedral their leaders organized the Nationality Committees, which eventually comprised nearly a half million people. The Committees, many of which created counterparts in the countries abroad, spared no expense of time, effort, artistic talent, craftsmenship, or materials in the design and execution of the eighteen International Classrooms. Some of the Rooms are originals, some are re-creations, but all were designed by achitects from the countries they represent. The Classrooms exemplify the periods of the highest development of art in these countries, from a time prior to the founding of the United States. Though each Room is a reflection of a unique culture, the International Classrooms as an entity symbolize universal ideals of beauty, truth, and peace. THE HUNGARIAN CLASSROOM The design of this room is characteristic of Hungarian folk art, in the main quite simple, yet, in certain places, highly ornamental. The seventy ceiling panels are highly ornamented with folk motifs painted in turquoise blue, pale green, and white on orange red. Tlic walls are sheathed in oak veneer of a warm tobacco brown. The grain of the oak wood veneer, very carefully matched, forms an attractive pattern. Walls and celing are tied together by an inscription frieze carved with the first two stanzas of “ Hymnus.” Bless the Magyar, O our God, Beautifully, gladly! Shield with Thy protecting hand When his foes smite madly! Fate, of old, has rent him sore; May it now bring healing! By-gone sins are all atoned Evn the future sealing. The carving on the entrance door, on the professor’s lectern and the student chairs, and on the panels under the wall cabinet are representative examples of Magyar carvin. Plaster of Paris models were made in Budapest and shipped to the United States to guide the American wood carvers. Stylized tulips, pomegranate leaves, daisies, carnations and sheaves of w7heat carved deep in oak provide a contrast wdth the rich but unadorned walls. Perhaps the most significant features of the room from an educational standpoint are the stained glass windows, which have been added since the Avinoff water color was painted. These windows portray Hungarian leaders of cultural freedom from earliest times. The glass display cabinet houses Hungarian crystals, world famous porcelans from Herend, wood carvings and a variety of embroideries from different parts of Hungary. The Nationality Rooms are open to the public free of charge. References: “Rooms with a Wiew.” — The University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
