Fraternity-Testvériség, 2008 (86. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
2008-07-01 / 3. szám
FEATURE not political. The period depicted must be prior to 1787, the date of the U.S. Constitution, with an emphasis on a country’s cultural roots. No political symbol is permitted in any of the decorations and no donor recognition can appear in the rooms. No portrait or likeness of any living person can be displayed and the only place any political symbol may be used is in the comer stone above the room’s entrance. Class instruction takes priority over tourist visits, so if a room’s door is closed, one can look through the door’s peephole to determine if a class is in session and then such instruction is not to be disturbed. I was particularly fortunate to meet with Pittsburgh Attorney Joseph S. Bielecki, an affable, brilliant, and enthusiastic Chairman of the Czechoslovak classroom since 1986. Joe, a board member of Sokol USA and a member of its finance committee, is particularly proud of the four scholarships awarded each year by his group. He boasts of the open houses that are hosted there, the elaborate Christmas decorations each room exhibits, and the language scholarships regularly awarded. Joe said, “I enjoy my connection with the Cathedral of Learning because I meet interesting people. We have student programs, concerts, a history center and our four scholarships for travel abroad are awarded to Master’s and PhD candidates for their dissertation projects. In fact, we recently hosted the great-grandchild of the Czech President.” During my own lengthy visit, I was in awe at the authenticity of each room, the elaborate displays of artifacts, writings and crafts, the intricately carved furniture, painted ceilings, historical portraits, heavy, wooden carved doors, and an open door policy that allowed me to wander at will. There were no security forces in evidence, no baggage checks and no restrictions on taking photos. In these days of heightened security and multiple metal detectors in our nation’s capital that I am so used to, I couldn’t believe I could freely enter each room that wasn’t being used for instruction, take my time enjoying each distinctly different room to learn a little of a culture’s heritage and language, and marvel at the authenticity and elaborate attention to detail. When others entered, there was almost a reverence; a quiet tone descended, and when anyone whispered anything, it was usually a breathless expression of awe. For example, in the Austrian room, the music of Franz Josef Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart softly fills the air. The Baroque elegance of the Schloss Esterhazy at Eisenstadt where Haydn served as Kapellmeister from 1766-1778 make this dining room every bit as elegant as the original. The elaborate ceiling paintings depict scenes from Roman mythology and Lobmyer crystal chandeliers illuminate the gilded white lacquer furniture patterned after the pieces in the formal dining hall of Vienna’s Hofburg. The walls are covered in red tapestries and the parquet floor is inlaid in a starburst design. This room certainly embodies the empire on which “the sun never set.” Entering the other classrooms is like taking a trip abroad in another time. There’s the Armenian, Chinese, 22 WINTER 2008
