Chopin’s replacement bronze bust was installed in the Polish Cultural Garden June 25, 2010, thanks to the Polish-American Cultural Center and Ben Stefanski.  Overseeing the new bust’s creation and installation was Teresa DeChant of DeChant Art Consulting.  Bust was sculpted and cast by Studio Foundries, Cleveland.  Pillar engraving and bust installation by Milano Monuments of Cleveland.  See attached photos thanks to Lauer Film.

Ben Stefanski and Teresa DeChant mark Chopin's return

New Chopin bust in the Polish Cultural Garden

June 18, 2010 saw the dedication of a replacement bust of Ivan Cankar (1876-1918), Slovenian essayist, political activist, playwright, poet and writer.  On hand for the dedication were members of the Slovene community, Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation delegates and president, Paul Burik, as well as prominent Slovene federal parlimentarians: Miro Petek, Gvido Kres, and  Vasja Klavora together with their secretaries Katja Jerman, Ph.D. and Breda Mulec, Ph.D.

Cankar Unveiled by Messrs Petek, Kres & Jaksic

Cankar Dedication Crowd courtesy of Dan Hanson

Thanks to the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation a replacement flag pole, hardware and flag were installed in the Romanian Cultural Garden on June 24, 2010.  The original pole disappeared after an auto hit the pole some years ago.

The Federation annually funds the purchase of new flags for each of the 25 Gardens.  The City of Cleveland’s Parks Dept. installs the flags.

Check out the Romanian flag when you’re going down MLK Jr. Blvd.  It is one of the more colorful ones in the Gardens.

Romanian Flag & Pole Installed June 24, 2010

Romanian Flag Unfurled at Romanian Cultural Garden

Free Concert
July 25, 2010 - Sunday - 6:00 pm

	Bring family and friends for a free concert in the beautiful Italian Renaissance garden.  Well known songs from famous Italian operas performed by Opera Per Tutti Enjoy music from Puccini’s Tosca, La Boheme, “Vesti la giubba” from Pagliacci, “Nessun dorma” from Turandot, the famous sextet from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Neapolitan songs and the beautiful music of Paolo Tosti.
	Italian Cultural Garden - East Blvd Entrance 990 East Blvd between Superior and St Clair roads Free parking along East Blvd 200 chairs provided - but bring you own to ensure a seat… or bring a blanket and a picnic! 216-916-7780 for more information

IVAN CANKAR BUST

RE-DEDICATED IN THE SLOVENIAN CULTURAL GARDEN JUNE 18th 2010.

Please join the Slovenian Cultural Garden Association, on Friday June 18th, 2010 for the dedication of a newly carved bust of Ivan Cankar, famous poet and writer.

This event has become an exciting community celebration and an important milestone in the efforts of restoration and future development of the Cleveland Slovenian Cultural Garden.

Ivan Cankar (May 10, 1876 –December 11, 1918) was a Slovenian writer, playwright, essayist and poet. He was also a political activist. He is regarded as the greatest writer in the Slovene language and has sometimes been compared to Franz Kafka and James Joyce.

Local elected officials and dignitaries will be in attendance at the re-dedication. The unveiling event will also include representatives visiting Cleveland, from the Government of Slovenia. The dignitaries, hosted by Jurek Zmauc, Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland, include:

1) Miro Petek, member of The National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia and President of parliamentarian Commission for Relations with Slovenes in Neighboring and Other Countries

2) Gvido Kres, member of The National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia and member of parliamentarian  Commission for Relations with Slovenes in Neighboring and Other Countries

3) mag. Vasja Klavora, vice president of The National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia and member of parliamentarian , Commission for Relations with Slovenes in Neighboring and Other Countries

4) Katja Jerman, Ph.D., secretary of Commission for Relations with Slovenes in Neighboring and Other Countries

4) Breda Mulec, Ph.D., secretary of Office for Slovenes abroad

The Cankar commemorative bust was originally installed in the Jugoslav Cultural Garden in 1944,created by Rudolph Mafko. The original bronze bust was mounted on a classical sandstone niche wall. The treasured sculpture had fallen victim to vandalism in 1990’s. The replacement bust, created in similar style, but in granite, was carefully sculpted by Teodor (Ted) Stroie, a regional artist, known for his magnificent and detailed art and architectural work. Both the restored sandstone wall and the newly created Cankar Bust will be unveiled at this long awaited event.

Since the establishment of an independent Slovenian Government, the Cleveland Jugoslav Garden has become the Slovenian Cultural Garden. The Slovenian Cultural Garden Association works to restore, preserve and maintain the Slovenian Garden property. Croatia and Serbia have since created their own gardens in new locations in the Rockefeller Park.

Festivities will begin at 2:00 PM , Friday June 18th, 2010. The Slovenian Cultural Garden is located at 840 East Boulevard Cleveland, Ohio 44108 Website www.cleslo.com/scga For additional information contact: Ron Jaksic (216) 534-4024 RONJ999@hotmail.com

Ivan Cankar Bust