Fri 2/5 @ 6-9PM
Sat 2/6 @ 11AM
Most folks are unaware that, outside of Slovenia, Cleveland is home to the largest population of Slovenians in the world. In fact, that’s news to everyone except probably Slovenians, who every year take to the streets of the St. Clair-Superior Neighborhood to celebrate their heritage.
The local event is called Kurentovanje (koo-rahn-toh-VAHN-yay), which is an annual carnival held in Slovenia to mark Mardi Gras. This year’s free affair take place Sat 2/6 from 11am-6pm at East 64th St. and St. Clair Ave.
The festive parade steps off at noon from Sterle’s Country House and proceeds down E. 55th to St. Clair Ave, where it ends at the Slovenian National Home. However, the party is just getting started with ethnic food, drinks, crafts, face painting for the kids and polka (on three different stages). There will also be an outdoor heated beer garden.
CoolCleveland talked to Cleveland Kurentovanje Planning Committee member Nicole Kusold-Matheou about the fun-filled day.
First of all, what was the impetus for staging a Kurentovanje in Cleveland?
Michael Fleming, who is the St. Clair Superior Development Corporation executive director, had taken on the task of trying to bring the neighborhood back to its former glory. One of the things he wanted to do was reflect some of the Slovenian heritage of that neighborhood. So they had on their own done some research about different events and festivals in Slovenia. He found this one and his team approached a group of Slovenian-American folks, like myself, who are active in the community. We were all really surprised because it’s not often a [non-Slovenian] comes to us with some idea of an event to do. It sounded awesome and everybody was on board. It’s been a really great success.
What’s the idea behind the Kurentovanje?
It’s essentially a Slovenian Mardi Gras. The figure central to the event is called the Kurent. The mythological figure that has its roots in Slavic paganism but took on a new meaning after Christianity came to Slovenia. His job is to scare away winter and make room for spring. This started in Slovenia a long time ago but had a resurgence in popularity during the ’50s. Now, we’re trying to fill a gap of there not really being a tremendous Mardi Gras presence in Cleveland. We thought this would be really unique and kind of quirky thing to bring to Cleveland, to the St. Clair and Superior neighborhood, and to show them the history of that neighborhood.
So over the past few years, what kind of attendance does Kurentovanje bring to the neighborhood?
The first year we would have been happy if 200 people showed up. We didn’t know what to expect and then 2,000 people showed up. So it was much better received than we ever imagined. Since then, we’ve had between 2,000 and 3,500 people come every year, including last year during a snowstorm. We still had 2,000 people come out.
Naturally, when we think of Mardi Gras, New Orleans or even Brazil and its Carnival come to mind. It’s almost as if Kurentovanje re-brands the event for a cold-weather climate.
Absolutely. I think it’s interesting that most people with warm weather will celebrate Mardi Gras but we don’t celebrate it here because it’s cold. In Slovenia, they have a whole season of Mardi Gras and their climate is like ours. So I think that with the right spirit, you can make a party anywhere.
Well, we like to party. Considering Cleveland’s ethnic heritage, why not stage an outdoor Mardi Gras?
Personally I’m just so pleased to share our culture with a broader audience. Like the Germans have Oktoberfest, I feel like this is our way to bring our friends and other cultures into some of the fun and excitement of our Slovenian culture.
On the evening prior to Kurentovanje, the Kurent Jump — a fundraiser to defray the costs of staging the free festival including the Kurent suits which can cost up to $2,000 — will take place at the new Goldhorn Brewery at from 6-9pm. It features the first appearance of the costumed Kurents, food, music, the first drink free and plenty more at the bar. It will be the first chance to tour the new brewery. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. On Saturday, there’s also an afterparty at Sterle’s starting at 6pm with more live music.
[Written by John Benson] [Photo by Andy Wrobel Photography]Cleveland, OH 44103