Tue 2/18 @ 6-9PM
Kurentovanje, coming up on Sat 2/22, is one of Cleveland’s most fun, family-friendly festivals, with an outdoor parade (brrrr!) leading to indoor activities at the Slovenian National Home on St. Clair.
Based on a popular festival held in Ptuj, Slovenia, the pre-Mardi Gras celebration features big, fuzzy “kurents,” creatures who are said to be chasing away the winter to make way for spring. Cleveland’s Kurentovanje launched in 2013 by a group of local Slovenian-Americans who wanted to reactivate their cultural roots, and has grown in size and scope every year. It now features an entire week of activities, leading up to the main event
On Tuesday, there’s a Slovenian Cultural Fair, taking place at the Slovenian National Home. It offers a chance to connect with and learn more about the local Slovenian community. Slovenian language professor Luka Zibelnik will conduct a Slovenian Language Survival Crash Course, and two special Kurentovanje beers from local brewers Collision Bend Breewing Company and Noble Beast Brewing Co. will be introduced.
The evening is free. Get tickets here.