RIP Ben Stefanski

Ben Stefanski was a community leader and philanthropist especially in his beloved Slavic Village neighborhood. He was a history buff who brought that knowledge to current problems such as crime, poverty and clean water.

He worked on numerous projects including the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, regional leader for the Kosciuszko Foundation, worked and accomplished much for the City of Cleveland under Mayor Michael White, and in his earlier years was with Third Federal Savings and Loan, a national financial institution founded by his family.

Ben passed away on Saturday July 6, 2019.

We were proud that Ben served as Polish Ambassador for ClevelandPeople.com

Ben Stefanski in the Polish Cultural Garden

Ben Stefanski

Judge Karpinski, Ben Sefansi and Madame Curie bust

See the official profile of Ben Stefanski by Debbie Hanson

Saint Pope John Paul II bust dedication

A statue of Saint John Paul II was dedicated on May 18, 2019 in the Polish Cultural Garden in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Dignitaries including Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley and Councilman Tony Brancatelli spoke as did the world-renowned sculptor of the bust, Andrzej Pitynski. 

Bishop Roger Griesand Father Jerzy Kusy blessed the new addition to the Garden.

Opera singer Dorota Sobieska performed as did the PIAST Polish dance ensemble.

Photos and videos of the John Paul II Dedication

Gene Bak, Kevin Kelley and Tony Brancatelli

PIAST Dancers

Sculptor Andrzej Pitynski

Solidarity

St. John Paul II bust installed in Polish Cultural Garden in Cleveland

The Polish Cultural Garden in Cleveland has busts of several famous Poles: Copernicus, Henryk Sienkiewicz, Frédéric Chopin, Madame Marie Sklodowska Curie, Ignacy Jan Paderewski and Adam Mickiewicz. They circle a beautiful fountain in the Garden at the corner of East Blvd and St. Clair in Cleveland.


The bust of Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was recently moved to make way for a new bust of Saint Pope John Paul II which was added to the Polish Garden.

Gene Bak and the Polish American Cultural Center spearheaded the effort to honor Saint John Paul II.  John Paul visited Cleveland when he was Cardinal Karol Józef Wojtyla and said Mass at the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus.

Photos and video of John Paul II bust

Adam Mickiewicz Bust Rededication - Polish Cultural Gardens

Adam Bernard Mickiewicz (1798 to 1855) was a prominent poet, dramatist, essayist, political activist, publicist and translator. He is commonly considered the greatest poet in Polish literature.

 The event featured dignitaries, speeches and performaces from PIAST, the Polish Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA).

PIAST group in front of Copernicus

Pictures, videos and more of Mickiewicz Bust Rededication