Sun 2/20-Sat 2/26
Cleveland Kurentovanje, a Slovenian celebration of anticipation for spring, was launched in the St. Clair/East 65thStreet area ten years ago. It features a parade led by fur-suited “kurents” (whose numbers increased each year), ringing giant bells to chase away the cold (not often successfully, at least not on that day!) that ends up at the National Slovenian Home on St. Clair for food, drink, vendors, bocce, live music, ethnic dancers, face painting, kids’ crafts and more. It gradually expanded into a week-long series of events.
With a variable date so early in the year, Kurentovanje got in just under the wire in 2020, but hosted everything online last year. Now it’s coming back as a hybrid event, with a series of virtual activities leading up to the big day, Saturday February 26. But that will look a little different. Instead of mobs of people packed elbow-to-elbow at tables inside the National Slovenian Hall’s ballroom, food, drink and live performances will take place outside in heated tents Also back live is its annual fundraiser, the Kurent Jump, on Friday February 25, also taking place in heated tents outside the National Slovenian Home. Get tickets here.
But in the meantime, you can enjoy a series of cultural events online, starting with “Cooking with Cleveland Kurentovanje” on Sunday February 20 @ noon. Michelle Pušič Ryall will demonstrate Slovenian culinary favorites and registrants will get a list of ingredients in advance so they can cook along with Michelle at home. It’s free; register here.
Programming on Monday February 21 is aimed primarily at those of Slovenian heritage with the Cleveland Consul General of Slovenia talking abut legal and immigration issues @ 6:30pm and a Slovenian language crash course @ 7:45. Even non-Slovenians can pick up a few words such as the essential “pivo” (beer).
On Tuesday February 22 @ 7pm, Kurentovanje debuts a new event: a Slovenian wine tasting. Ticketholders will get Slovenian wines shipped to their homes and a private link to the virtual program. Buy tickets here.
Also on Tuesday February 22, you can watch the movie 100% Slovenian: The Stories of Slovenian Women in America online all day.
Then on Thursday, join them online once against for a Slovenian Accordion Concert with Hajime “Anže” Anzai and Friends from Tokyo, Japan — yes, this Slovenian music ensemble is composed of all Japanese musicians!
You can find more information and register for all events at Kurentovanje’s website.