73rd annual One World Day Cleveland Cultural Gardens September 16, 2018
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation hosted the 73rd annual One World Day on September 16, 2018. Police estimates say that 15,000 - 18,000 people visited the Gardens and attended One World Day.
The focus this year was on the individual gardens (30+) rather than a main stage. Performances, food, ethnic culture and fun were available in almost all of the Gardens.
A highlight is the Parade of Flags where people in costumes of their heritage carry the flags. This year an effort was made to include communities that do not (yet) have a Cultural Garden and they were warmly welcomed.
See videos and photos of the Parade of Flags as follows:
Lithuanian Cultural Garden in the Parade of Flags at 2018 One World Day
After the Parade of Flags, people gathered in the Syrian Garden for the traditional Welcome and Naturalization ceremony. This began with the posting of the colors by a Cleveland Police Color Guard and the singing of the National Anthem led by opera singer Dorota Sobieska.
National Anthem at One World Day in the Syrian Garden
Singing of the National Anthem led by Dorota Sobieska
This was followed by remarks from Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation president Dr. Wael Khoury and a presentation from Cleveland Mayor Jackson by Alex Lackey of the City of Cleveland.
Dr. Wael Khoury, President of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation
Alex Lackey and Wael Khoury
NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
Sheila Murphy Crawford, Past President of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation, thanked Councilman Kevin Conwell, County Council's Yvonne Conwell and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson for their support. She then introduced US Magistrate Judge Johnathan D. Greenberg, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio for the Naturalization Ceremony.
US Magistrate Judge Johnathan D. Greenberg, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio spoke to the 30 new citizens and swore them in the oath of citizenship.
US Magistrate Judge Johnathan D. Greenberg
Naturalization Ceremony on One World Day
Dr. Wael Khoury, President of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation introduced students from Hawken School who sang America the Beautiful and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Students from Hawken School sang America the Beautiful and led the Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance on One World Day
Next, opera singer Dorota Sobieska sang a Polish song loosely translated as "Do you know the land?"
Dorota Sobieska
Before ending the ceremony, Dr Khoury introduced the Ajyal Dabke Lebanese Dancers who performed in front of the replica of the Palymyra Arch in Syria.
Ajyal Dabke Dancers on One World Day
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens were very active on the 73rd One World Day with numerous performances, music, dancing, food and fun. For example, the Murphy Irish Dancers performed in the Irish Cultural Garden.
Be sure to visit the pages of the other ethnic groups on ClevelandPeople.com to see photos and videos of their activities at One Word Day. This includes:
Vietnamese Cultural Garden at 73rd annual One World Day
Raising a Vietnamese Flag on One World Day in Cleveland
The opening ceremonies featured singing of the Vietnamese and US national anthems and remarks from Vietnamese Garden leaders Gia Hoa Ryan, Joe Meissner, Brunswick Mayor Ron Falconi and others. Cleveland Councilman Matt Zone also spoke and presented a proclamation from the City of Cleveland.
Gia Hoa Ryan and proposed center piece statue of the Garden
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