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Published July 2, 2011 E-mail: [email protected] Est.
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Phil Hrvatin Senior Editor ClevelandSlovenian.com Tim Percic
Creative Design
20 Years of Slovenian Statehood Celebrated in Clevelan
Press ReleaseContact: Johanna Bajc
Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia(216) 589-9220
June 25, 2011 marked 20 years of statehoofor the Republic of
Slovenia, and the city ofCleveland along with its substantial
Sloveniacommunity celebrated in a big way.
Statehood Day week began with twoconsecutive nights of concerts
byinternationally acclaimed vocal group from
Slovenia, Perpetuum Jazzile, at ClevelandState University's
Waetjen Auditorium. Theuniversally appealing and exceedingly
talengroup wowed Slovenians and other music fawith their amazing
capabilities and enthusiaperformances.
Official Statehood Day observance began lain the week when the
Consulate General ofSlovenia in Cleveland received
distinguisheguests including the Minister for Slovenes
Abroad, Dr. Botjan ek, Slovenian Ambassador to the United
States, Mr. Roman Kirn, and UnitedStates Ambassador to Slovenia,
Mr. Joseph Mussomeli. With this visit, the dignitaries from
bothSlovenia and the United States honored the largest Slovenian
community outside of Slovenia.
On the morning of Friday, June 24, the flag of Slovenia could be
seenflying atop Cleveland City Hall, and colorful street banners
celebratingCleveland's Slovenian community lined the St. Clair
Avenue inCleveland's original Slovenian neighborhood. The day's
program ofevents began with a special reception at the Slovenian
Museum andArchives. A pertinent exhibit was on display including
documents andpictures depicting the role played by Americans of
Slovenian heritage inobtaining recognition of Slovenias
independence. The HonorableGeorge Voinovich was an honored guest at
this reception and he waspresented with a Recognition from Minister
Dr. ek for his lifetime ofachievement and his attention to
Slovenian culture and heritage.
June 24, 2011 Arriving at the SMA, Ray Marvar, United
StatesAmbassador to Slovenia. Mr. Joseph Mussomeli, Minister
forSlovenes Abroad, Dr. Botjan ek and SlovenianAmbassador to the
United States Mr. Roman Kirn. Photo byPhil Hrvatin
Retired US Senator GeorgeVoinovich greets AmbassadorMussomeli.
August Pust in thebackground.Photo by Phil Hrvatin
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PhotosbyPhilHrvatinpostedat:https://picasaweb.google.com/philip.hrvatin/SlovenianStatehood20thClevelandOhio
Video: http://www.youtube.com/CLESLO ( by Tim Percic )
The afternoon reception at the Slovenian Cultural Garden was
canceled dueto weather, but this did not prevent the distinguished
guests from viewing
the gardens and appreciating the evident hard work that had been
done bythe volunteers there.
Later that evening, the Consulate General of the Republic of
Sloveniaconducted its official Statehood Day celebration at
Cleveland City Hall.Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Councilman
Michael Polensek andCouncilman Joe Cimperman hosted what has become
an annual event atCity Hall. Mayor Frank Jackson honored the
Slovenian community ofCleveland with an official declaration that
June 25, Slovenian StatehoodDay, be an official city holiday from
this year forward.
The celebration included a formal program of presentations by
MayorJackson, Councilman Polensek, Councilman Cimperman, Ohio
StateRepresentative Kenny Yuko, George Brown of United States
Senator's RobPortman's office, and the evening's guest of honor,
Minister Dr. ek.Mayor Jackson's recent trade mission was a
recurring theme throughout theprogram as many of the presenters and
guests shared their experiences asparticipants.
A musical program featured two performers including headlining
recordingartist, Raine Austen, and Mi smo Mi, a young Slovenian
mens choral groupfrom Cleveland. About 200 guests were in
attendance including members ofthe consular corps and clergy, and
friends from within the 10-state
jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Slovenia in Cleveland,
includingWisconsin and Pennsylvania.
On Saturday June 25, 800 guests gathered at Slovenska Pristava
tocelebrate 20 years of Slovenian statehood and the 50 year
anniversary ofSlovenka Pristava. The day began with a horse and
carriage parade
followed by a multi-layered program in the Lausche Hall
includingperformances by Korotan, Fantje na vasi, Mi smo mi,
Folklorna Skupina Kres, Lilija, St. VitusSlovenian School, St.
Marys Slovenian School and Canadian group, Nagelj. Minister Dr.
ekpresented Slovenska Pristava with an official Recognition from
the Office for Slovenes Abroad.
Top to bottom Slovenian Consul General Jure mauc, , Slovenian
Ambassador to the United States Roman Kirn, UnitedStates Ambassador
to Slovenia Joseph Mussomeli, Minister for Slovenes Abroad, Dr.
Botjan ek and Retired USSenator George Voinovich. Photos by Phil
Hrvatin June 24, 2011
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In the
NewsSource:http://slovenia.usembassy.gov/cleveland2.htmlPhotobyJohannaBajc
www.clevelandslovenian.com
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