History of Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland

Algis Ruksenas, Author and Historian, was the featured speaker at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.  He gave a detailed history of the creation of the Lithuanian Garden and the many busts and monuments within.

Cleveland Lithuanian community

Lithuanian National Anthem by Choir in Cleveland Cultural Garden

Exultate Choir directed by Rita Kliorys with William Shaffer on keyboard performed at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.  This was the Lithuanian National Anthem and then the closing of the ceremony. http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/lithuanian.htm

Viena Seima- Viena Tauta by Choir in Cleveland Cultural Garden

Exultate Choir directed by Rita Kliorys with William Shaffer on keyboard performed at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.  This was Viena Seima- Viena Tauta. http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/lithuanian.htm

Pamario Dainos by Choir in Cleveland Cultural Garden

Exultate Choir directed by Rita Kliorys with William Shaffer on keyboard performed at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.  This was Pamario Dainos. http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/lithuanian.htm

Zemej Lietuvos by Choir in Cleveland Cultural Garden

Exultate Choir directed by Rita Kliorys with William Shaffer on keyboard performed at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.

This was Zemej Lietuvos.

More from Lithuanians in Cleveland

Lithuanian song by Choir in Cleveland Cultural Garden

Exultate Choir directed by Rita Kliorys with William Shaffer on keyboard performed at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.  This was their 2nd song.

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Lithuanian Choir in Cleveland Cultural Garden

Exultate Choir directed by Rita Kliorys with William Shaffer on keyboard performed at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.

This first song is El Jovar, Jovar!

More from the Lithuanian community in Cleveland

Lithuanian Cultural Garden Pietra President

Rimas Aukstuolis, Pietra Fund board president of the Cleveland Lithuanian Community, spoke at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.    http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/lithuanian.htm

Cleveland Lithuanian Community president in Cultural Garden

Algis Gudenas, president of the Cleveland Lithuanian Community, spoke at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.    http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/lithuanian.htm

Consul to Lithuania Ingrida Bublys thanks Senators

Honorary Consul to Lithuania Ingrida Bublys thanked Senator Rob Portman and read a proclamation from Senator Sherrod Brown at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.

http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/lithuanian.htm

Respect the national anthem – never take a knee

Estonian Garden representative and Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation board member Erika Puussaar spoke at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.  As a former refugee and immigrant, she spoke of the great respect she has for the national anthem and how others should respect it as well – and never take a knee. http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/lithuanian.htm

US Senator Rob Portman in Lithuanian Garden

Senator Rob Portman spoke at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.  He spoke about how the freedom of the Baltics (and Ukraine and Crimea, etc.) is essential and how the US must support its allies.  

More from the Lithuanian community of Cleveland

Ingrida Bublys – Proclamations for Lithuanian Garden

Honorary Consul to Lithuania Ingrida Bublys read proclamations from Cleveland Mayor Jackson and others at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.

http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/lithuanian.htm

Welcome to 80th anniversary of Lithuanian Garden in Cleveland

Violeta Leger, Lithuanian Cultural Garden Board Member, welcomed the crowd to the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.  She spoke in English and then in Lithuanian.

http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/lithuanian.htm

Latvian Garden’s Anda Cook in Cleveland Lithuanian Garden

Latvian Garden representative and Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation board member Anda Cook spoke at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.    http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/lithuanian.htm

Cleveland Councilman Mike Polensek in Lithuanian Garden

Cleveland Councilman Mike Polensek spoke at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.    http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/lithuanian.htm

Senator Rob Portman presents flag to Lithuanian Cultural Garden

Senator Rob Portman spoke at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.  He presented a US flag that was flown over the US Capitol to the Lithuanian Cultural Garden. http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/lithuanian.htm

Senator Rob Portman – Eastern Europe, ethnic groups and George Voinovich

Senator Rob Portman spoke at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland.  After the event he was asked if his expertise with the Baltic States, Ukraine and Eastern Europe and his strong relationships with the ethnic groups came from the late Senator George Voinovich.  

More of Cleveland's Lithuanian community

Mother Teresa Canonization Ceremony in Albanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland

The Albanian Cultural Garden hosted a canonization ceremony for Blessed Mother Teresa on Sunday September 4, 2016. "Many people don't know Mother Teresa was Albanian," said Cleveland Councilwoman Dona Brady, one of the founders of the garden and leader of the ceremony. 

The Albanian Garden was the 29th ethnic garden to be dedicated in the 100-year-old-Cleveland Cultural Gardens. The dedication of the garden in 2012 was attended by Albanian President Bujar Nishani, Albanian Ambassador Gilbert Galanxhi and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson. The ceremony included three musicians who were adopted as children from one of the orphanages of Mother Teresa. See photos and videos of the 2012 Albanian Garden dedication.

The Albanian Garden is centered around a 7-foot bronze statue of Mother Teresa.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, ethnic Albanian, Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of the Missionaries of Charity who dedicated her life to helping India's poor, was canonized as Saint Mother Teresa by Pope Francis. "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop" - Mother Teresa

There were several speakers who told about Mother Teresa's life and mission and how they were influenced by her.

Speakers included those pictured above: Sheila Crawford, Sister Kathleen Ryan, Bishop Roger Gries, Dona Brady, Sister Judith Ann Karam and Adem Meta.

Photos and videos from the Mother Teresa celebration

Placing flowers at statue of Mother Teresa in Albanian Garden

After the celebration of the canonization of Mother Teresa in the Albanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland, attendees placed flowers at the base of the Statue of the newly canonized   Saint Teresa of Kolkata.  http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/albanian/albanian.htm

Dove of peace released for Mother Teresa’s canonization celebration

Dona Brady thanked the Albanian community, public officials and others who helped build the Albanian Cultural Garden and make the celebration of the canonization of Mother Teresa in the Albanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland possible.  She gave a shout out to Dan Hanson and ClevelandPeople.com.  They then released a single white dove of peace and Dona rang the bell for Saint Teresa of Kolkata. http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/albanian/albanian.htm

Bishop Roger Gries at Mother Teresa canonization celebration

Bishop Roger Gries, O.S.B., Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus, spoke about Mother Teresa of Calcutta at a celebration of the canonization of Mother Teresa in the Albanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland Ohio.  Bishop Gries gave Reflections of the Catholic Church’s canonization of Saint Mother Teresa as declared by Pope Francis and listed 5 examples from Mother Teresa’s life that we should live by.  http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/catholic/catholic.htm

Cultural Gardens president at Mother Teresa canonization celebration

Sheila Crawford, President of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation, spoke about the Gardens in particular the Albanian Garden at a celebration of the canonization of Mother Teresa in the Albanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland Ohio.

See more from the Mother Teresa ceremony

Sister of Charity speaks about Mother Teresa in Albanian Garden

Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, FACHE Congregational Leader,   Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine, spoke about Mother Teresa of Calcutta at a celebration of the canonization of Mother Teresa in the Albanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland Ohio.  http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/catholic/catholic.htm

Sister Kathleen Ryan speaks about Mother Teresa in Albanian Garden

Sister Kathleen Ryan, administrator for the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, has helped many new arrivals from Albania get settled in Cleveland.  She spoke about Mother Teresa of Calcutta at a celebration of the canonization of Mother Teresa in the Albanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland Ohio.  http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/catholic/catholic.htm

Calcutta native at Mother Teresa celebration

Asim Datta was born and raised in Calcutta (Kolkata) India.  He spoke about Mother Teresa of Calcutta at a celebration of the canonization of Mother Teresa in the Albanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland Ohio.  He also sang a song that was sung at her canonization in Rome earlier in the day. http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/asian-indians/asian-indians.htm

Mother Teresa canonization celebration welcome in Albanian

Adem Meta, Chairman of the Albanian American Association, translated the welcoming remarks by Cleveland Councilwoman Dona Brady at a celebration of the canonization of Mother Teresa in the Albanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland Ohio.



He also thanked Dona Brady for her help with the Albanian Cultural Garden.



http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/albanian/albanian.htm

Dona Brady MCs Mother Teresa canonization celebration

Cleveland Councilwoman Dona Brady served as Mistress of Ceremonies at a celebration of the canonization of Mother Teresa in the Albanian Cultural Garden in Cleveland Ohio.

Dona Brady told how the new saint was of Albanian heritage and how the Albanian Cultural Garden features a large statue of Mother Teresa.

 More of the Cleveland Albanian community

Parade of Flags at One World Day – MLK Blvd.

The Parade of Flags at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens ended on MLK Blvd.  Here are some highlights of the dozens of ethnic groups that marched.

More from the Parade of Flags

Parade of Flags at One World Day along East Blvd.

The Parade of Flags at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens started on East Blvd.  Here are some highlights of the dozens of ethnic groups that marched. 

More from the 2016 One World Day in Cleveland 

Putin, get out of Ukraine

During the Parade of Flags at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens on MLK Blvd.  members of the Ukrainian Cultural Garden chanted “Putin, get out of Ukraine” as they marched. 

More from the Cleveland Ukrainian community  

11 year old sings Sartory duet at One World Day

11 year old Polina Kornyushenko and Nicholas Oita sang Time to Say Goodbye by Sartory accompanied by pianist Olga Druzhinina at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.

I was too close to the speakers – sorry - so the sound isn't great.

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11 year old sings Frühlingsstimmen by Strauss at One World Day

11 year old Polina Kornyushenko sang Frühlingsstimmen by Strauss accompanied by her teacher and pianist Olga Druzhinina at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.   http://www.clevelandpeople.com/events/2016/one-world-day-2016.htm

Rusyn dance from SW Ukraine – One World Day grand finale

Living Traditions Folk Ensemble performed a song and dance from the most Southwest part of Ukraine – Leave me some flowers at the bridge for when I come back - at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.

More from the Rusyn community in Cleveland

Rusyn children’s czardas at One World Day

Children from Living Traditions Folk Ensemble danced a czardas at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.   http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/rusyn/rusyn.htm

Song from Zemplin region of Slovakia at One World Day

2 sisters-in-law from Living Traditions Folk Ensemble sang a song from the Zemplin region, the most eastern part of Slovakia.   This was at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.   http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/rusyn/rusyn.htm

Rusyn song from Slovakia at One World Day

2 sisters-in-law from Living Traditions Folk Ensemble sang a song about young ladies in the old country who are looking for a guy to marry. This was at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. The costumes are from the Zemplin regions, the most eastern part of Slovakia. http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/rusyn/rusyn.htm

 

Rusyn song from Slovakia at One World Day

2 sisters-in-law from Living Traditions Folk Ensemble sang a song about young ladies in the old country who are looking for a guy to marry. This was at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. The costumes are from the Zemplin regions, the most eastern part of Slovakia. http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/rusyn/rusyn.htm

 

Rusyn dance from southern Poland at One World Day

Living Traditions Folk Ensemble performed a dance from the Carpathian Mountains of southern Poland that included a song, a polka and a czardas at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.



 http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/rusyn/rusyn.htm

 

Pledge of Allegiance by new citizens at One World Day

Judge Daniel A. Polster presided over the Naturalization of 19 new citizens at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Gardens.  The new citizens joined with student from Hawken School to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and then sing America the Beautiful.

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Oath of Citizenship and recognition at One World Day

Judge Daniel A. Polster is a United States federal judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.  He presided over the Naturalization of 19 new citizens at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Gardens.

The new citizens took the oath and came on stage for their paperwork.

Bhutan Refugee becomes citizen at One World Day

Judge Daniel A. Polster is a United States federal judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.  He presided over the Naturalization of 19 new citizens at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Gardens.

Judge Polster invited the new citizens to say a few words and Upendra Luitel, a refugee from Bhutan, made some inspiring comments.

 

Judge Polster naturalization ceremony at One World Day

Judge Daniel A. Polster is a United States federal judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.  He presided over the Naturalization of 19 new citizens at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Gardens.

Cleveland Ceili Club in Irish Cultural Garden on One World Day

Members of the Cleveland Ceili Club danced in the Irish Cultural Garden at the 71st annual One World Day and the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.  

More of the Cleveland Irish community

Cleveland Cultural Gardens Centennial Plaza Groundbreaking

Sheila Murphy Crawford, president of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation, invited Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and other dignitaries to ceremonially break ground in the Centennial Plaza of the Cultural Gardens during the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.

 In the background, the band No Strangers Here consisting of Pat Hoynes, Bob Crawford and Larry Bachtel performed a special version of the Garden Song (Inch by Inch, Row by Row) at One World Day 2016 in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.  The lyrics spoke about the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and the 71st annual One World Day.


See more from One World Day