Thu 4/29 @ 7PM
Cleveland has the largest number of Slovenians outside of Europe, and they were one of the largest and most influential groups of immigrants to settle here.
Their influence is still felt all over town, with Slovenian “homes” in Collinwood, Slavic Village and Superior-St. Clair, a Slovenian Museum & Archives, the annual Slovenian-inspired Kurentovanje festival, and the SNPJ Farm, home of many summer events, in Kirtland. “Cleveland-style” polka, honored with a hall of fame in Euclid, is actually Slovenian-style polka, made famous by the most successful polka artist of all time, Frankie Yankovic, whose parents were Slovenian immigrants. Frank Lausche (1895-1990), another son of Slovenian immigrants, served as mayor of Cleveland, governor of Ohio and U.S. Senator from Ohio.
Learn more about this illustrious history with Joe Valencic, Polka Hall of Fame founding trustee (and current vice president) and president of the Cleveland Federation of SNPJ Lodges, in a panel discussion sponsored by the Cleveland History Center.
Go here to register for the online event.
virtual-panel-discussion-slovenian-neighborhoods-of-cleveland/