Parade of Flags at 2022 One World Day in Cleveland

 Since 1946 the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) has hosted an annual One World Day where the dozens of diverse heritages represented in the community are shared.  A highlight of One World Day is the Parade of Flags where dozens of communities dress in their ethnic attire and carry flags of their heritage.  

Almost 60 units marched in the 2022 Parade of Flags many with dancing, drums and music but all with their flags and traditional costumes. 

 Magnificent Seven gold medal Olympic champion gymnast Dominique Moceanu was the Grand Marshal of the Parade. She compared the Parade of Flags to a mini-Olympics Opening Ceremony. Dominique she led off the Parade walking with Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and CCGF Board Chair Dr. Wael Khoury. The first unit to march was the Ukrainian to show the support of the broader community for the people of Ukraine.  

Watch the video of the Parade of Flags

More from One World Day 2022

Syrian Artist Diana Al-Hadid in the Syrian Cultural Garden

 The Syrian Cultural Garden hosted a special event to showcase the art of Diana Al-Hadid in the Garden. About 150 attended despite the rainy weather. They socialized, viewed the art, ate Syrian food and listened to Dr. Wael Khoury and the artist talk about the Garden and the art.

Diana Al-Hadid and Dr. Wael Khoury

Diana Al-Hadid, who was raised in Ohio and is a Kent State University graduate, converted the fountain into a symbolic ancient water-clock whose design is based on several instructions left behind by the twelfth-century Islamic polymath Ismail Al-Jazari.

Photos and video from the Syrian Garden event

Berj Shakarian inducted in Cleveland International Hall of Fame

 Architect Berj Shakarian was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.  Berj was the driving force behind the Armenian Cultural Garden in Cleveland as well as the Centennial Peace Plaza among other projects. 

Armenian Cultural Garden

Berj Shakarian in the Plaza

Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation president Dr. Wael Khoury introduced Berj and then previous inductee Paul Burik presented Berj and gave him his CIHF award and pin. 

 Berj then gave his acceptance speech.

More on the Cleveland International Hall of Fame 2020 inductions

Cleveland Cultural Gardens Centennial Peace Plaza Groundbreaking Ceremony

On June 11, 2019 the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Centennial Peace Plaza in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.

After welcome and speeches, the actual groundbreaking took place with CCGF President Dr. Wael Khoury being joined by the Plaza committee leaders, major donors, Mayor Frank Jackson and others for the ceremonial shoveling of dirt.

Groundbreaking of Centennial Peace Plaza

Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation Executive Board

Photos and videos of the Cultural Gardens Centennial Peace Plaza groundbreaking

Wael Khoury tobe inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Wael Khoury will be inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame next Tuesday April 18.  

Dr. Khoury is from Syria and has held leadership positions in numerous Middle East and broader organizations such as CAMEO, CCWA, Syrian American Cultural Council and just 2 weeks ago as president of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation.  

He led the project that created the Syrian Cultural Garden. 

Read more about Wael Khoury