Third Annual Cleveland Kurentovanje
to be Held February 14, 2015
The East Side's Historic Slovenian Community Holds Traditional Winter Carnival
A day filled with costumes, a parade, food and drink, heritage and fuzzy Kurents
Cleveland, OH-The Third Annual Cleveland Kurentovanje (koo-rahn-toh-VAHN-yay), a Slovenian-infused carnival event will take place on February 14, 2015 on St Clair Avenue between East 62nd and Addison Road. In light of the overlap of Mardi Gras weekend and Valentines Day, this year's Kurentovanje theme is "LOVE in every sLOVEnian!"
Cleveland Kurentovanje is cultural event that has been celebrated in Slovenia for the past 50 years, connecting culture, arts, and people from all over Europe. The central figure of the carnival, the Kurent, is believed to chase away winter and usher in spring with its supernatural powers. Cleveland Kurentovanje has grown exponentially since its conception in 2013, with thousands in attendance each year.
The schedule for Cleveland Kurentovanje 2015 is as follows:
11am-Doors Open: Come grab some food, Slovenian donuts ("krofe"), coffee, and shop at nearby businesses. Free crafts to help children prepare for Kurentovanje will also take place during this time.
Noon-Parade: The Parade kicks off the traditional Kurentovanje celebration and will stretch through the neighborhood from St. Vitus Church on Lausche Ave. to the Slovenian National Home on St. Clair. The procession will include Kurents, polka and marching bands, dance groups, and other parading groups in traditional dress from across Eastern Europe. Community groups are encouraged to register to participate in the parade here. All visitors are encouraged to dress in costume of any kind to celebrate in the Slovenian carnival tradition.
1-6pm-Celebrate: Eat, drink, shop and party at the Slovenian National Home. Experience the many different foods, wines, beers, music and dance of Slovenia and Eastern Europe. Free photos with the Kurents will be available. Local craftspeople will be selling homemade edibles and handmade goods. Many musical and dance acts will perform throughout the day. Attendees can explore the Slovenian National Home, the neighboring Slovenian Museum and Archives, as well as many other storefront businesses in the area, which will feature samplings of food, spirits and music.
6pm-Close-After Party: When the Kurentovanje ends, the celebration will move to the official After Party at Sterle's Country House on East 55th where guests can enjoy schnitzel, polka, and a shot or two of slivovitz. Sterle's Bier Garden will also be open throughout the day.
Cleveland Kurentovanje is run by a volunteer steering committee and is supported by in-kind donations and sponsorships from businesses and organizations. Donations of all kinds are accepted through the St Clair Superior Development Corporation, the festival's non-profit fiscal agent.
Interested in volunteering with the committee to help this year's festival run as smoothly as possible? Contact festival organizers here.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Nicole Kusold
[email protected]
