Events


View a comprehensive calendar of events.

Monday, November 3

Fall 2025 Russian Tutoring in the Global Hub
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Olga Klimova
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Hub along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
Contact:
Olga Klimova
Contact Email:
vok1@pitt.edu

Russian program students: Are you looking to practice Russian? Stop by the Global Hub on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, starting on October 6 and ending December 10, to meet with Russian tutors and prepare for tests, get help with homework, and more.

Tuesday, November 4

Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu

Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning

Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.

For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)

Wednesday, November 5

Fall 2025 Russian Tutoring in the Global Hub
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Olga Klimova
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Hub along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
Contact:
Olga Klimova
Contact Email:
vok1@pitt.edu

Russian program students: Are you looking to practice Russian? Stop by the Global Hub on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, starting on October 6 and ending December 10, to meet with Russian tutors and prepare for tests, get help with homework, and more.

Monday, November 10

Fall 2025 Russian Tutoring in the Global Hub
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Olga Klimova
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Hub along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
Contact:
Olga Klimova
Contact Email:
vok1@pitt.edu

Russian program students: Are you looking to practice Russian? Stop by the Global Hub on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, starting on October 6 and ending December 10, to meet with Russian tutors and prepare for tests, get help with homework, and more.

Tuesday, November 11

Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu

Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning

Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.

For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)

Wednesday, November 12

Fall 2025 Russian Tutoring in the Global Hub
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Olga Klimova
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Hub along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
Contact:
Olga Klimova
Contact Email:
vok1@pitt.edu

Russian program students: Are you looking to practice Russian? Stop by the Global Hub on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, starting on October 6 and ending December 10, to meet with Russian tutors and prepare for tests, get help with homework, and more.

Thursday, November 13

Peace Corps Info Session
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Nick Gasquet
Location:
Global Hub, 1st Floor Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub and University of Pittsburgh Peace Corps Recruiter
Contact:
Anna-Maria Karnes
Contact Email:
AWK19@pitt.edu

Pitt Alumni Nicholas Gasquet will present on the Peace Corps application process and his own personal experiences in Indonesia and Senegal as a current Peace Corps Volunteer.

Gasquet graduated from Pitt in 2024 with a major in political science, minors in economics and history, and an African Studies certificate.

The Peace Corps allows you the opportunity to serve in 60+ countries around the world in Africa, Central and East Asia and Latin America.

Referral — Free Ourselves From Stone
Ukrainian Voices Reclaimed
Time:
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location:
St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 220 Mansfield Blvd, Carnegie, PA
Announced by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies on behalf of Dietrich School of Arts and Science Dean's Office, Department of Music and RealTime Arts
Cost:
$50
Contact Email:
rebecca@realtimearts.org

Join us for the FINAL EVENT in our Ukrainian Storytelling Series, held at the beautiful St. Peter and St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Carnegie PA, a hub of our local Ukrainian community.

We’ll start off with a full Ukrainian dinner, followed by incredible performances of folktales and songs from some of Pittsburgh’s most compelling talent.

You’ll also hear from Ukrainian veterans, visiting from Ukraine, whose personal experiences and insights will be woven through these ancient stories.

Afterward, you'll have a chance to connect with our Ukrainian guests and share your own thoughts on the stories, songs and insights of the evening.

Friday, November 14

Our Town Is Now a Cemetery: Soviet Yiddish Amateur Songs and the Rituals of Holocaust Commemoration, 1945–1947
Time:
4:00 pm
Presenter:
Anna Shternshis (University of Toronto)
Location:
Baker Hall 246A, Carnegie Mellon University
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with Department of History and Carnegie Mellon University Department of History
Contact:
Alissa Klots
Contact Email:
alissaklots@pitt.edu

In 1945, Shikl Gershberg sang a song about the massacre by German and Romanian troops that killed 437 people in his small Ukrainian town in July 1941. It ended with the haunting line: "Our town of Zhabokrych became a cemetery." For many years, the song was the only memorial to Gershberg's family and community. A physical monument remained unrealized due to restrictions by Soviet authorities. This paper, based on newly discovered archival materials, oral histories, and memoirs, examines how Soviet citizens dealt with state prohibitions against public commemorations of Holocaust victims, and engaged in personal and communal acts of remembrance after the war. Part of the Socialist Studies Seminar series.

Book Launch — Silhouettes of Russian Writers by Yuli Aikhenvald
Tatyana Gershkovich
Time:
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Tatyana Gershkovich, Associate Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
Location:
4217 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
Contact Email:
crees@pitt.edu

NOTE: location and date have changed!

Join CMU Associate Professor of Russian Studies Tatyana Gershkovich for the launch of this new book, translated and edited with Stephen H. Backwell, and recently published by Academic Studies Press!

Yuli Aikhenvald was one of the most popular and influential Russian literary critics of the early 1900s. His major book, Silhouettes of Russian Writers, went through six ever-expanding editions. A major presence in Vladimir Nabokov’s early career, Aikhenvald has since been neglected by other writers and critics. This collection translates several of Aikhenvald’s key essays, making him available to English-speaking readers for the first time.

Phantasmagoria Magic Lantern Show
Time:
6:00 pm
Presenter:
Brett King (North Carolina), Anna Kovalova (University of Pittsburgh), Tom Roberts
Location:
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium (Room 0125)
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures, Film and Media Studies Program, Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences and Horror Studies Center

Step back in time and witness the spellbinding spectacle that inspired the birth of cinema! Join us for a real magic lantern show, a live performance that brings to life one of the most captivating forms of nineteenth-century visual entertainment. 

Our special guest, professional lanternist Brett King (North Carolina), will present a mesmerizing program featuring adaptations of beloved fairy tales and holiday-themed slides celebrating Halloween and Christmas. The show will be accompanied by pianist and composer Tom Roberts, one of the world’s leading exponents of early jazz piano.

A family-friendly event recommended for kids 12 and up and for younger adventurers who aren't afraid of ghosts!

Admission is FREE, but registration is required. Please register via the link (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1P76a_R8zCvD09N31XmsOy86qYInqSVguzezyBYx...

Sponsored by: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences | Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies | Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures | Film and Media Studies Program | Horror Studies Center | Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs

Monday, November 17

Fall 2025 Russian Tutoring in the Global Hub
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Olga Klimova
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Hub along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
Contact:
Olga Klimova
Contact Email:
vok1@pitt.edu

Russian program students: Are you looking to practice Russian? Stop by the Global Hub on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, starting on October 6 and ending December 10, to meet with Russian tutors and prepare for tests, get help with homework, and more.

Growing Old in the Modern World
A Global History
Time:
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Alissa Klots (History) and Elizabeth Mulvaney (Social Work)
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Studies Center along with World History Center, Leibniz ScienceCampus Europe and America in the Modern World and Volkswagen Foundadtion
Contact:
Alissa Klots
Contact Email:
alissaklots@pitt.edu

Rapid population aging is a modern phenomenon that has been transforming societies across the globe. Roundtable participants will present their research of different aspects of aging from the role of grandparents in modern societies to the place of technology in accommodating older people across the globe.

Lunch reception: 12:30–1:30 PM

Tuesday, November 18

Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu

Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning

Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.

For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)

Wednesday, November 19

21st Annual High School Model European Union
Time:
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location:
William Pitt Union
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, European Union Center of Excellence and Global Studies Center
Contact Email:
europeanstudies@pitt.edu

The High School Model European Union is an annual event for area high school students. The goal of the Model EU is to give high school students a chance to learn about the workings of the European Union through a hands-on simulation. Playing the roles of presidents and prime ministers, students spend a day engaged in intense negotiations over conflicting issues about the EU. The objective is to simulate a specific European Council meeting that focuses on recent current events impacting the EU. Model EU enhances students’ understanding of classroom learning and gives them a real sense of the challenges involved in the decision-making process of the European Union.

Fall 2025 Russian Tutoring in the Global Hub
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Olga Klimova
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Hub along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
Contact:
Olga Klimova
Contact Email:
vok1@pitt.edu

Russian program students: Are you looking to practice Russian? Stop by the Global Hub on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, starting on October 6 and ending December 10, to meet with Russian tutors and prepare for tests, get help with homework, and more.

Russian Ballet
Time:
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Presenter:
Daria Khitrova
Location:
Zoom
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with “Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University”, “Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia, University of Wisconsin-Madison”, “Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas”, “Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, The Ohio State University”, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill”, “Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, Indiana University”, “Russian, and Eurasian Center, University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign”
Contact:
Sandra Grudic
Contact Email:
sgrudic@fas.harvard.edu

This webinar is the third in a six-part series, The Arts of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, designed to support K-14 educators in bringing the arts of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia into their classrooms. During this session, we will learn about the Russian ballet as a powerful cultural force shaped by political, religious, and aesthetic pressures from the 19th to the 20th century. We will examine how ballet was viewed by critics, dancers, and administrators—as both an “impossible” art form and a near-religious practice of survival and expression. Educators will gain tools to connect performing arts with broader historical and cultural themes, enriching classroom discussions around artistic expression under authoritarian regimes, the role of tradition in modernity, and how art can serve both resistance and conformity.

Monday, December 1

Fall 2025 Russian Tutoring in the Global Hub
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Olga Klimova
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Hub along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
Contact:
Olga Klimova
Contact Email:
vok1@pitt.edu

Russian program students: Are you looking to practice Russian? Stop by the Global Hub on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, starting on October 6 and ending December 10, to meet with Russian tutors and prepare for tests, get help with homework, and more.

Tuesday, December 2

Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu

Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning

Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.

For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)

Wednesday, December 3

Fall 2025 Russian Tutoring in the Global Hub
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Olga Klimova
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Hub along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
Contact:
Olga Klimova
Contact Email:
vok1@pitt.edu

Russian program students: Are you looking to practice Russian? Stop by the Global Hub on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, starting on October 6 and ending December 10, to meet with Russian tutors and prepare for tests, get help with homework, and more.

Thursday, December 4

Bringing the Sounds of Eastern Europe and Eurasia into the Classroom
Time:
6:30 pm
Presenter:
Danielle Sekel
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with “Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University”, “Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia, University of Wisconsin-Madison”, “Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas”, “Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, The Ohio State University”, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill”, “Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, Indiana University”, “Russian, and Eurasian Center, University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign”
Contact:
Sandra Grudic
Contact Email:
sgrudic@fas.harvard.edu

This webinar is the third in a six-part series, The Arts of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, designed to support educators in bringing the arts of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia into their classrooms. This session focuses on practical strategies for incorporating the region’s rich musical traditions into K–12 teaching. Participants will explore both traditional and popular musical forms and genres, using sound as a lens to illuminate broader cultural, historical, and social themes. The webinar features listening examples, adaptable classroom activities, and cross-curricular approaches that connect music to subjects such as literature, geography, and history.

Please register to join us for an engaging session filled with ready-to-use resources and creative ideas for introducing students to the diverse musical traditions of Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

Monday, December 8

Fall 2025 Russian Tutoring in the Global Hub
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Olga Klimova
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Hub along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
Contact:
Olga Klimova
Contact Email:
vok1@pitt.edu

Russian program students: Are you looking to practice Russian? Stop by the Global Hub on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, starting on October 6 and ending December 10, to meet with Russian tutors and prepare for tests, get help with homework, and more.

Tuesday, December 9

Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

Wednesday, December 10

Fall 2025 Russian Tutoring in the Global Hub
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Olga Klimova
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Hub along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
Contact:
Olga Klimova
Contact Email:
vok1@pitt.edu

Russian program students: Are you looking to practice Russian? Stop by the Global Hub on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, starting on October 6 and ending December 10, to meet with Russian tutors and prepare for tests, get help with homework, and more.

Thursday, January 8

Ukrainian Pysanky: A Journey Through History and Symbolism into Today's Classroom
Time:
6:30 pm
Presenter:
Megan Luttrell
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with “Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University”, “Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia, University of Wisconsin-Madison”, “Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas”, “Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, The Ohio State University”, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill”, “Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, Indiana University”, “Russian, and Eurasian Center, University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign”
Contact:
Sandra Grudic
Contact Email:
sgrudic@fas.harvard.edu

This session focuses on the ancient tradition of pysanky (decorated eggs) in Ukraine. It discusses the history and process of making pysanky as well as the fascinating symbolism in the designs, tracing the change pysanky symbolism throughout cultural shifts in Ukraine. The session also introduces participants to digital resources on pysanky including sample lesson plans that show educators how they can use pysanky in a variety of classroom contexts.

This webinar is the fourth in a six-part webinar series, The Arts of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, designed to support K-14 educators in bringing the vibrant and diverse artistic traditions of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia into the classroom. Each 90-minute session will spotlight a different art form—including music, dance, literature, visual arts, cultural artifacts, and theater/film—offering both historical and cultural context as well as practical classroom strategies. Use the registration form to register for one or more of these events.

Thursday, January 22

Global Issues Through Literature: The U.S. in the World
"Forty Autumns," by Nina Willner
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location:
via Zoom
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Studies Center

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 “The U.S. in the World.” Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of a “Global United States,” where the U.S. role in the world and its relationship with other countries and regions is informed by transnational narratives and dialogues shaped by global trends such as migration, 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.

The January 22, 2026 workshop will focus on the book, "Forty Autumns," by Nina Willner.

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.

For more information and to register, please go to: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/GILS .

Tuesday, February 3

Power, Protest, and Daringness: Snapshots from a Century of Russian and East European Theater
Time:
6:30 pm
Presenter:
Alisa Ballard Lin
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with “Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University”, “Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia, University of Wisconsin-Madison”, “Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas”, “Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, The Ohio State University”, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill”, “Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, Indiana University”, “Russian, and Eurasian Center, University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign”
Contact:
Sandra Grudic
Contact Email:
sgrudic@fas.harvard.edu

This webinar is the fifth in a six-part series, The Arts of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, designed to help K-14 educators integrate Russian, Eurasian, and Eastern European arts into their classrooms. It explores the influential and enduring role of theater in this region, where theatergoing remains an ordinary, affordable, and deeply valued cultural practice. From the collapse of empires during World War I to the repressions of the Communist era, and from the transformations of a globalized Europe to Russia’s ongoing war against a NATO- and EU-aligned neighbor, theater has consistently served as a resilient artistic and political force. Led by Dr. Alisa Ballard Lin, the session highlights several theatrical productions that reveal the dynamic intersection of art and politics over the past century. Each production has been selected for its accessibility and pedagogical value, with translated plays, photographs, video materials, and scholarly commentary readily available for classroom use.

Please join us for an engaging and practical session filled with insights, resources, and inspiration for bringing the rich theatrical traditions of Eastern Europe into your teaching.

Friday, February 6 to Saturday, February 7

Revolutions in Sound: Auditory Cultures of Global Socialism
Time:
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Varies
Location:
TBD
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies

Tuesday, March 3

From Lullabies to Naive Art: Culture, Memory, and Resilience
Time:
6:30 pm
Presenter:
Nataliia Bondarenko
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with “Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University”, “Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia, University of Wisconsin-Madison”, “Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas”, “Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, The Ohio State University”, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill”, “Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, Indiana University”, “Russian, and Eurasian Center, University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign”
Contact:
Sandra Grudic
Contact Email:
sgrudic@fas.harvard.edu

How does art preserve memory, sustain cultural heritage, and shape national identity—especially during times of conflict?

This sixth and final webinar in The Arts of Eastern Europe and Eurasia: A Webinar Series for Educators explores how artistic expression functions as a living record of cultural memory. Through case studies from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, we will examine how art and culture are mobilized as tools of influence, identity, and messaging, particularly in moments of war, political upheaval, and societal change.

Designed for K-14 educators, this session offers practical insights and classroom-ready materials that illuminate the power of memory, creativity, and cultural heritage in shaping both historical and contemporary narratives. Participants will also develop strategies to help students think critically, recognize disinformation, and better understand the intersections of art, identity, and politics.

Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22

REEESNe 2026 Student Conference
Time:
(All day)
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center and Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs along with Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, Graduate Organization for the Study of Europe and Central Asia, Yale MacMillan Center and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies Northeast Network
Contact:
Zsuzsánna Magdó
Contact Email:
zsuzsannamagdo@pitt.edu

The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, the European Studies Center, and the Graduate Organization for the Study of Europe and Central Asia join Yale University's Macmillan Center to host the 2026 REEESNe Student Conference. This FREE student conference will bring together undergraduate and Master's-level students from the northeast and beyond. The event will feature panels of student research papers, roundtables for presenting student experiences (study abroad, internships, volunteering, etc.), and a professionalization panel with alumni, who apply REEES expertise in a diversity of careers.

Application Deadline: December 12, 2025