The ACTR (American Council of Teachers of Russian) of Western Pennsylvania Olympiada of Spoken Russian is an annual national competition provides US school and college students the opportunity to demonstrate their Russian language knowledge while meeting other students of Russian and conversing with native Russian speakers. Students will receive recognition for their demonstrated language proficiency, improve their chances of getting international and study abroad scholarships, and enhance their professional résumé.

Questions? Please contact Anna Karpusheva (ank490@pitt.edu)

Please register at the link here before February 27th, 2026.

Co-Sponsors:

University of Pittsburgh, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies and Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures

Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Modern Languages

11:00 AM- Urban Farmers and Green Spaces: Berlin’s Lessons for Pittsburgh

Dr. Jesko Hirschfeld, Humboldt University of Berlin
Urban farming in Pittsburgh took off around 2005 but has roots reaching back to the community gardens established in the 1940s. Berlin, by contrast, has incorporated various forms of urban gardening into its cityscape for nearly 200 years.
What insights can Pittsburgh draw from Berlin’s long history of urban farming? And what perspectives might Pittsburgh’s more recent initiatives offer to urban growers in Berlin?
In this engaging talk, Dr. Jesko Hirschfeld highlights innovative gardening initiatives, from classic allotments to new community-driven models. Explore how urban green spaces strengthen neighborhoods, improve climate resilience, and expand access to fresh food—while also confronting challenges like gentrification and shrinking public funding.
Join us for a lively look at how urban farmers shape healthier, greener cities.

1:00 PM- Part I: Panel Discussion
Moderator: Randall Halle, European Studies Center
Panelists:
Dr. Patrick Shirey — University of Pittsburgh
Lisa Freeman — Freeman and Family Farm
State Representative Emily Kinkead, PA House District 20, Chair of the Legislative Hunger Caucus
Dr. Jesko Hirschfeld — Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

2:30 PM- Part II:  Discussion Groups:
Group A: Urban Farming Challenges & Opportunities
Group B: Climate resilience strategies in cities
Group C: Ensuring nutrition security for vulnerable populations

3:30 PM-Part III:  Call for Action with Closing Remarks

Join the Vietnamese Student Association for a Vietnamese Food Workshop to spread Vietnamese culture.

Location
The Frick Art Museum and the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning
Cost:
$35 Member
$45 Adult
$45 Senior (65+)
$20 Youth (3-17)
$20 College Student (w/ ID)

Members of The Frick Societies receive complimentary admission
Description:
Co-presented by The Frick Pittsburgh and the Nationality and Heritage Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh, this special program studies immigration, culture and labor in Pittsburgh through time. Beginning with a visit to the Nationality and Heritage Rooms, classrooms gifted from the ethnic communities who helped build Pittsburgh, and ending with a tour of the Lewis Hine Pictures America exhibition, this program will take attendees back in time to discuss the rich cultural fabric of Pittsburgh.

Advanced registration and pre-payment required. Program begins at University of Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning; participants are responsible for their own transportation. Click here to find additional information including directions and parking at the University of Pittsburgh.

This event is also being offered on April 10 and May 14.

https://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/Event-Guided-Tours-of-the-Nationality...