Restored Version of the 1948 film, often described as the "Mother of all Holocaust Films." Director Wanda Jakubowska survived Auschwitz. She set and filmed the movie in Auschwitz and used survivors and locals in the casting.
This film influenced a generation of filmmakers but then was forgotten and surviving negatives began to decay.
This restoration from 2020 makes the film available for new generations. The pandemic limited its distribution but now we are welcoming you to join us in the Pittsburgh premier.

On Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 12:00PM to 4:00PM, the Slovak Studies Program with the help of our generous sponsors will host the 36th Annual Slovak Heritage Festival in the Commons Room of the Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh campus in Oakland. We are excited to be back again for a joyous day of Slovak culture, music, history, food and education. At Slovak Fest, you can wander through our vendors and informational display tables, explore the Czechoslovak Room, enjoy a lineup of traditional music and dance performances, attend lectures on Slovak culture, and maybe even meet the ambassador! Admission is free, and parking in Oakland is free on Sundays.

The Slavic Languages and Literatures Department at the University of Pittsburgh is proud to be the home of the only permanent Slovak Studies Program in the United States. Our goal is to encourage young people to learn more about Slovakia and the role of Slovaks in America, and to promote and preserve Slovak heritage, language, and culture. There is no better place to do it than right here in Pittsburgh! Thanks to all the organizations and individuals whose combined support has allowed Pitt to serve as a beacon of the Slovak diaspora.

During U.S. colonial rule in the Philippines, reinforced concrete was used to the near exclusion of all other building materials. In Concrete Colonialism, Diana Jean S. Martinez examines the motivations for and lasting effects of this forgotten colonial policy. Arguing that the pervasive use of reinforced concrete technologies revolutionized techniques of imperial conquest, Martinez shows how concrete reshaped colonialism as a project that sought durable change through the reformation of environments, colonial society, and racialized biologies. Martinez locates the origins of this material revolution in the development of Chicago, highlighting how building this urban center atop exceptionally challenging geology made it possible to transform diverse global ecologies. She details how the material’s stability, plasticity, strength, and other qualities served the shifting imperatives of the US colonial regime, playing a central role in defending territory, controlling disease, and constructing monuments to nation and empire. By describing a world irreversibly remade, Martinez urges readers to consider how colonialism persists — in concrete forms — despite claims of its conclusion.

Diana Martinez (BA Architecture 2001) is an architecture historian. Her research on the architecture of United States empire focuses on the built environment of the Philippine Islands. Trained as an architect, she received her MArch from Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP) in 2006 and a PhD from Columbia's GSAPP in 2017.

Martinez's first book, Concrete Colonialism: Architecture, Urbanism, and the United States' Imperial Project in the Philippines (Duke University Press, 2025) exposes the immense impact of a single (hybrid) material on the United States colonial venture in the Philippines. In doing so, she links the history of U.S. empire to the political, social, economic, and environmental transformations that simultaneously took place in the colony and the metropole.

Pitt’s Global Health Case Competition is an intensive and exciting dive into a real-world global health problem. The competition is designed to give undergraduate and graduate students professional experience in developing innovative 21st century solutions and strategies to address a real-world global health issue. We welcome all students from the University of Pittsburgh.

Over a two-week timeframe, interdisciplinary teams of four to six graduate and undergraduate students will develop a plan to address a scenario in a holistic way based on information garnered during a series of presentation/workshop by experts along with a comprehensive library guide prepared specifically for the case study.

The top teams will receive cash prizes and support to register and, if accepted, to attend the Emory Morningside Global Health Case Competition. (Pitt cannot guarantee a slot in the Emory Case Competition.)

2026 Global Health Case Competition
Case Competition Timeline
October 20, 2026 Signup deadline*
November 7, 2026 8:30 am - 4 pm In-person workshop (case reveal, team assignments, lectures, etc). All students must participate in person. Breakfast and lunch provided.
November 10, 2026 7:00 - 9:30 pm Online workshop
November 12, 2026 7:00 - 9:30 pm Online workshop
November 14, 2026 11:59 pm Team video due
November 20, 2026 1:00 - 4 pm In-person final round case presentation
* University of Pittsburgh students participating in the competition have the option to earn one academic credit, either at the undergraduate or graduate level (depending on their status). The course must be added before the add/drop period, September 4, 2026. Students can also earn credit towards OCC, Global Distinction, and Honors OCC.
Course number:

Undergraduate: PUBHLT 1902
Graduate: BCHS 2511-1001

Join us for a talk by Holocaust Scholar and Historian Dr. Michael Berenbaum.

Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass,” was a pogrom that occurred November 9-10, 1938. It was the first organized, government-sanctioned act of violence against the Jews in Germany. It marks the start of the systematic violence against Jews during the Holocaust. Each year, the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh holds an event to commemorate this important turning point in history. These programs are generously supported by Edgar Snyder.

Dr. Michael Berenbaum is a writer, lecturer, and teacher consulting in the conceptual development of museums and the development of historical films. He is director of the Sigi Ziering Institute: Exploring the Ethical and Religious Implications of the Holocaust at the American Jewish University (formerly the University of Judaism) where he is also a Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies.

Join Sean Guillory, host of the Eurasian Knot Podcast, for a live interview with William Chase to launch The Many Faces of Antifascism. 

The Many Faces of Antifascism by William Chase and Olga Novikova-Monterde
IN the 1930s, the Popular Front unified international antifascists against the clear and present danger of fascism.  The unity, however, proved thin.  The Marxist left quickly fractured along sectarian lines. The infighting wasn't just over the nature of fascism and how to combat it. Old battles and rivalries persisted under an antifascist flag.
Why did this fragmentation occur?  What drove Marxist militants to fight each other when faced with a common fascist foe?  In the Many Faces of Antifascism, William Chase and Olga Novikova-Montero untangle these questions through a series of microhistories of antifascism as a lived experience in the Soviet Union, Germany, Austria, France, England, and Spain.

Join Secretary-General and COE of International Rotary, John Hewko as he explores the connections between his parents' history as Ukrainian refugees after WWII and his approach to responding to the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe and beyond.   
Moderated by Randall Halle, Director of European Studies 

2026 - 2027 Series
Re-Centering Narratives: Indigenous and Island Peoples

This professional development workshop series is designed for K-12 educators seeking to deepen their understanding of global issues through literature. This year, we will explore the theme of "Re-Centering Narratives: Indigenous and Island Peoples." Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of Indigenous and Island Peoples, whose identities, spaces, and lived experiences are informed by global phenomena such as migration and displacement, economic and political struggles, environmental issues, human rights, and human conditions. By exploring compelling stories from diverse cultural perspectives, educators will gain insights into the complexities of this theme, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to engage students in meaningful discussions around these topics.

Each session features a carefully selected book, paired with historically contextualized presentations, interactive discussions, teaching strategies, and cross-disciplinary activities to inspire classroom implementation.

Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET). Three Act 48 credit hours (for PA educators) and a copy of the book are provided for each session.

This lecture is part of the Socialist Studies Seminar. 

Why did ordinary young women from interwar Poland leave everything behind to fight for Republican Spain? Through interconnected biographies, this paper examines how class, gender, education, and ethnicity shaped women's paths toward political radicalization, socialism, and communism. Some encountered radical politics through universities, travel, and intellectual circles; others through hospitals, factories, poverty, and prison. Despite varied trajectories, their paths converged in Spain, where commitments to socialism, communism, and above all anti-fascism gave political meaning to experiences shaped by inequality, care, and social change.

Co-sponsored by the World History Center at Pitt and the Carnegie Mellon University Department of History.

The European Studies Center invites you to an open series with hybrid and asynchronous forms. The series takes participants from a shared research foundation in European policy to a finished policy brief published in the Interdisciplinary Review of ValEUs (IRV).

The series teaches the craft of writing for impact and how to transform complex political, economic, and cultural questions into clear, concise, and persuasive policy briefs that reach governmental, non-governmental, and international audiences.

Participants will learn to: 
Identify and define a policy problem with precision 
Conduct concise, evidence-based analysis grounded in real research 
Communicate complex issues in accessible, policy-oriented formats 
Develop practical, actionable recommendations for decision-makers.

Who Should Participate:
Faculty and researchers seeking to broaden their academic work
Humanities Scholars
Graduate and undergraduate students
Educators (Continued-Education Certificate)
Professionals interested in public policy, international affairs, transatlantic relations/European Studies.

No prior policy-writing experience is required.

In the spirit of an open house tradition and to foster connections among neighbors, members of the Nationality and Heritage Room Committees will welcome guests into the Cathedral of Learning for an afternoon of exploration and engagement.

Guests will be invited into the Nationality and Heritage Rooms which will be decorated for the holiday season and can participate in traditional crafts and cultural demonstrations to learn about the rooms, the committees, and their ethnic communities and traditions. In the Cathedral of Learning Commons, guests will enjoy traditional treats as they listen to world and holiday music and shop for handcrafted and cultural wares and other items that represent the cultural diversity of the Nationality and Heritage Rooms.

The event is free and open to the public. No prior registration is required. Food and gift items will be available for purchase.

We look forward to welcoming you!

PARKING DISCLAIMER: Please note that parking is extremely limited on Oakland's campus. When thousands of visitors come to campus, parking becomes even more limited. You may try and park on campus at your own risk, but we do urge the public to please take advantage of helpful ride share services, public transportation, or park and ride. The Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs is not responsible for, and does not oversee any of the parking garages or street parking on Pitt's campus. We are happy to help you figure out alternate modes of transportation prior to the event.

Please refer to the Transportation Solutions below to find your ideal mode of travel!

TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS:

Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing services are heavily available in the Pittsburgh area, and is a quick and convenient way to get to the Cathedral of Learning!

Public transit is also widely available, and bus schedules can be found at the Port Authority Trip Planner. Input the destination address as "4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260".

Parking in available areas outside of the main Oakland area and walking in is also advised, especially as the surrounding areas are very easily walkable!

Nearby garages, though limited with spots, are excellent for individuals with young children or with accessibility needs.

STUDENT DISCLAIMER:

For 34 years, The Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs have held the Holiday Open House in the Cathedral of Learning's Commons Room. This primary focus of this event is to welcome the public into our spaces to educate them about the Nationality & Heritage Rooms, our programming, scholarships, and committees. Students who would like to use the Commons Room for study or for work are strongly advised to study elsewhere on campus, including the other floors of the Cathedral of Learning, the Hillman Library, or the Carnegie Library where disruptions will be at a minimum. Students are more than welcome to join the festivities, and enjoy the food, crafts, and entertainment of this beloved cultural event!

2026 - 2027 Series
Re-Centering Narratives: Indigenous and Island Peoples

This professional development workshop series is designed for K-12 educators seeking to deepen their understanding of global issues through literature. This year, we will explore the theme of "Re-Centering Narratives: Indigenous and Island Peoples." Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of Indigenous and Island Peoples, whose identities, spaces, and lived experiences are informed by global phenomena such as migration and displacement, economic and political struggles, environmental issues, human rights, and human conditions. By exploring compelling stories from diverse cultural perspectives, educators will gain insights into the complexities of this theme, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to engage students in meaningful discussions around these topics.

Each session features a carefully selected book, paired with historically contextualized presentations, interactive discussions, teaching strategies, and cross-disciplinary activities to inspire classroom implementation.

Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET). Three Act 48 credit hours (for PA educators) and a copy of the book are provided for each session.

Interested in living and working abroad after graduation? Learn about opportunities to teach English overseas, how to find and apply for programs, what qualifications you need, and what you can gain from the experience. Hear directly from Pitt alumni who have taught English abroad.

Annamaria Fato is a Global Marketing and Communication expert with extensive experience living and working across Europe. A Pitt alumna, she has built a global career across the automotive, healthcare and insurance sector.

2026 - 2027 Series
Re-Centering Narratives: Indigenous and Island Peoples

This professional development workshop series is designed for K-12 educators seeking to deepen their understanding of global issues through literature. This year, we will explore the theme of "Re-Centering Narratives: Indigenous and Island Peoples." Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of Indigenous and Island Peoples, whose identities, spaces, and lived experiences are informed by global phenomena such as migration and displacement, economic and political struggles, environmental issues, human rights, and human conditions. By exploring compelling stories from diverse cultural perspectives, educators will gain insights into the complexities of this theme, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to engage students in meaningful discussions around these topics.

Each session features a carefully selected book, paired with historically contextualized presentations, interactive discussions, teaching strategies, and cross-disciplinary activities to inspire classroom implementation.

Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET). Three Act 48 credit hours (for PA educators) and a copy of the book are provided for each session.

The Asian Studies Center and Global Studies are pleased to host the fifth annual Asia Challenge high school simulation this year, on Thursday, February 25, 2027, in the William Pitt Union. The goal of Asia Challenge is to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to learn about the history, politics, economics, and cultures of Asia and the surrounding region through a global, hands-on simulation. Playing the roles of delegates to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), students will spend a day engaged in debate and negotiations over pressing issues impacting Asia, the Pacific region, and the world today. Asia Challenge will enhance students’ understanding beyond classroom learning and give them a real sense of the challenges involved in the debate and decision-making process of ESCAP.

2026 - 2027 Series
Re-Centering Narratives: Indigenous and Island Peoples

This professional development workshop series is designed for K-12 educators seeking to deepen their understanding of global issues through literature. This year, we will explore the theme of "Re-Centering Narratives: Indigenous and Island Peoples." Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of Indigenous and Island Peoples, whose identities, spaces, and lived experiences are informed by global phenomena such as migration and displacement, economic and political struggles, environmental issues, human rights, and human conditions. By exploring compelling stories from diverse cultural perspectives, educators will gain insights into the complexities of this theme, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to engage students in meaningful discussions around these topics.

Each session features a carefully selected book, paired with historically contextualized presentations, interactive discussions, teaching strategies, and cross-disciplinary activities to inspire classroom implementation.

Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET). Three Act 48 credit hours (for PA educators) and a copy of the book are provided for each session.

Study abroad is more than a cultural adventure; it's an accelerated classroom for the skills employers want most. This presentation explores how navigating unfamiliar systems, collaborating across language barriers, and adapting to new environments builds competencies like communication, problem-solving, feedback and cultural agility. You'll leave with a framework for identifying, articulating, and showcasing these experiences in your resume, interviews, and cover letters.

The International Marketing Competition, sponsored by the Global Studies Center, invites local high school student teams to research and pitch a business plan for marketing a real-world product to a specific international audience. The goal is to prepare tomorrow's workforce to meet the requirements of an expanding global marketplace through programs that simulate international business and to promote the acquisition of world language skills and cultural understanding.

2027 INTERNATIONAL MARKETING COMPETITION INFORMATION
The product for the 2027 competition is Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce, and the target market is Mexico.