William Penn Life, 2010 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2010-05-01 / 5. szám

granates, cornflowers, forget-me-nots, daisies and lilies of the valley."

The ceiling and walls are tied together by a frieze inscribed with the words of the Himnusz, the Hungarian National Anthem.

Inset along the corridor wall is a cabinet reminiscent of a Hungarian bride's hope chest, decorated with carved and painted tulips. The bottom portion of the "chest" consists of dark wooden carvings. Above this rests the "interior" of the chest, exhibiting Herendi and Zsolnai porcelain, Magyar embroidery and lace work and a miniature replica of the crown of St. Stephen, the first Christian king of Hungary. The doors of the cabinet are painted in similar colors and motifs as found on the ceiling panels.

Like all the Nationality Rooms, the Hungarian Room is required to be a functional classroom. So, it

is furnished like any other classroom one would find at a typical school or college. There are student desks with attached chairs, a desk and chair for the teacher, a podium from which to offer lectures, and a blackboard. But, of course, these are not typical classroom furnishings. In keeping with Györgyi's theme of contrasting simplicity and ornamentation, all these furnishings at first glance seem rather simple. However, upon second view, one clearly sees the Hungarian influence. The back of each student chair is carved with a traditional Magyar floral motif. Above the blackboard is carved the coat of arms of the University of Buda, founded in 1388.

The room's most striking feature, however, was not a part of its original design and construction. When the room first opened in 1939, it featured a large, clear glass bay window. The window was adorned by blue

One of the Hungarian Room's ceiling panels.

"Warmth of heart, recognition of nobility in character and of beauty in homely, useful objects, respect for order and fine craftsmenship, reverence for the true and lovely, intense feeling, and an extraordinary zest for doing are recaptured in their original energy throughout the materials and design of these rooms." - John G.

Bowman, Chancellor, University of Pittsburgh, 1921-1945.

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