Czech Cultural Center-Sokol Greater Cleveland Holiday Fair
The annual Czech Holiday Fair sponsored by Sokol Greater Cleveland was held Saturday, November 9, 2024. It might have been a record setting number of people attending to shop for imported Czech and Slovak items. There were arts and crafts along with authentic Czech Food and Beer for sale. People lined up to purchase traditional Czech holiday foods, homemade bakery, vanocky, strudel and more. Dinners featured pork, dumplings, sauerkraut & chicken paprikas.
Georgia Maresh and Sokol mannequin
Throughout the building there were historical and cultural displays including lots of Kroje (traditional Czech and Slovak folk costumes) and other Czech and Slovak artifacts and displays.
Paul Burik modeling the new 25 year gymnasium anniversary t-shirt
The Cleveland Czech community demonstrated their heritage at One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. They hosted visitors in the Czech Garden.
The Cleveland Czech community demonstrated their proud heritage at One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 50,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2023.
The Czech community participated in the Parade of Flags which had 1500 people from over 53 countries.
Bohemian National Hall 125th Anniversary Celebration
The Bohemian National Hall, an historic building located in the Broadway-Slavic Village neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. 2022 is the 125th anniversary of the historic Bohemian National Hall in Cleveland Ohio. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 1975.
Bohemians, Moravians, Silesians and Slovaks had begun coming to Cleveland in 1848. The cornerstone was laid in 1896 as a community hall to accommodate the cultural, social, and educational needs of Czech immigrants in their newly adopted country. Over these many years, the building has been lovingly restored to its glory.
Sokol Cleveland president Paul Burik speaks in the Bohemian Hall ballroom
The festivities included Dvorak music performed by members of the Cleveland Orchestra, dignitaries such as the Czech Ambassador to the US Miloslav Stasek and a sumptuous dinner.
Miloslav Stasek, Czech Republic Ambassador to the United States
One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 40,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2022.
The Czech community participated in the Parade of Flags and then welcomed visitors to their Garden and shared their culture.
Czech Marionette Show and Kings and Knights of Bohemia
On Saturday July 23, 2022 a celebration was held at the historic Bohemian Hall that featured a Marionette Show, Crooked River Aerial Circus, a lesson on the Kings and Knights of Bohemia and a joust between two armored knight on horses. That gave the event its name - Knights on Broadway! Of course there were also brats, pastry, Czech beer and a chance to pet the horses.
Fran Burik with knights and Maggie
The free community event began with a puppet show. Puppets and marionettes were popular in Europe for hundreds of years.
Sokol President Paul Burik and Ted Krejsa gave a presentation about the Kings of Bohemia.
Knights on Broadway - Jousting at the Bohemian Hall
Historically speaking, jousting began as a tool for training medieval armored cavalry. It evolved into a full-blown sport by the late middle ages. With the many castles in Bohemia, the kings needed knights to protect their land. Much like training in martial arts, the repeated exposure to oncoming danger helps to mold a rider (and the horse) into a formidable opponent on the battlefield. Members of Combatant's Keep came to the Bohemian National Hall and showcased Medieval Jousting and Mounted Skills.
Medieval Jousting and Mounted Skills at the Bohemian Hall
Czech Cultural Center-Sokol Greater Cleveland Holiday Fair
The 43rd annual Czech Holiday Fair sponsored by Sokol Greater Cleveland was held Saturday, November 13, 2021.
Attendees shopped for imported Czech and Slovak items - Garnets, costume jewelry, pottery, crystal, ornaments and more. There were Arts and crafts along with authentic Czech Food and Beer for sale.
People lined up to purchase traditional Czech holiday foods, homemade bakery, vanocky, strudel and more. Dinners featured pork, dumplings, and sauerkraut & chicken paprikas.
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens are a collection of over 30 gardens each dedicated to a particular heritage. They feature busts, statues and monuments to their cultural icons. The Czech Cultural Garden was dedicated in 1935.
Paul Burik has been caretaker of the Czech Garden for over 20 years and he leads a virtual tour explaining the busts and monuments. Statues and busts include Antonin Dvorak, Karel Havlicek, Bedrich Smetana, Tomas Masaryk, Jindrich Simon Baar, Frantisek Palacky, Jan Amos Komesnky and a tribute to Czech Immigrants.
Watch the video tour.
One World Day 2021
The Czech Cultural Garden was busy on One World Day on August 29, 2021. Visitors stopped by to learn about Czech culture and the beautiful garden.
Paul and Fran Burik in the Czech Garden on One World Day
Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductee Ramesh Shah visited fellow inductee Paul Burik in the Czech Garden on One World Day
Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductee Paul Burik says that in the Czech Republic just before Christmas one can find in the town square large wood barrels filled with fish, usually "Kapr" - Carp, that people purchase for the traditional Christmas eve dinner. The buyer points to the fish as they splash in the barrel creating a lively spectacle. The proprietor uses a net to capture the poor creature to joy of the on looking children. The fish often end up in the family bath tub until his unfortunate demise on the Christmas Eve. The Czech Republic is known for the many artificially created lakes in the southern part of the country that sustain this holiday tradition.
Christmas in Prague Old Town Square
Czech and Italian Christmas Traditions
Judge Ralph Perk Jr., president of the American Nationalities Movement of Ohio, says "When I grew up in the 50's & 60's the Perk home joined in a mix of Czech and Italian backgrounds including large families we found ourselves doing the same things year after year. We would start with midnight mass at Our Lady of Lourdes, a Czech parish. Which unlike today was actually at midnight. When we arrived home we enjoyed a meal of ham and potato salad, which to this day was the best potato salad I ever tasted.
After getting up on Christmas morning we'd open presents in a usual disorganized order and attend church again. This was followed by a pork, dumpling and sauerkraut lunch. Then we would always go to our Italian grandparents for spaghetti and meatballs with grandma's unique Italian sauce. Of course, there would be more presents exchanged and lots of stories and jokes before we left for our Czech grandparents. There we had traditional desserts of poppyseed rolls, nut rolls, and apple kuchen with eggnog. Not to forget a few more gift exchanges plus some Czech Christmas cookies (vanocni cukrovi) and kolachkes. Then home (which was just around the corner) to play with our favorite present.
Infant of Prague
In the charming city of Prague, located in the heart of Europe, the Carmelite Church of Our Lady Victorious is home to a revered 16th-century statue known as the Infant Jesus of Prague.
A German copy of the statue of the Infant of Prague, with a white wig instead of the traditional blonde hair, circa. 1870
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation hosted the 74th annual One World Day on August 25, 2019. Police estimates say that over 30,000 people visited the Gardens and attended One World Day. There was a lot of activity in the beautiful and historic Czech Cultural Garden.
Paul and Fran Burik in Czech Garden on One World Day
Paul Burik with marionette in Czech Garden on One World Day
A highlight of One World Day is the Parade of Flags where people in costumes of their heritage carry the flags. This year was undoubtedly the largest and most colorful in memory.
Anna Sophia Tombazzi first Rusyn crowned Miss Czech-Slovak Us National Queen
Anna Sophia Tombazzi became the first Rusyn crowned Miss Czech-Slovak Us National Queen 2019-2020.
Anna Sophia Tombazzi
Anna's maternal Rusyn lineage comes from her great-grandfather, Stephen Pusti from Šoma (now called Driencia) in Šaryš County near Prešov. Anna's great-grandmother, Anna Bittner Pusti was from Kamienka, in Spiš County. Both Anna's great-grandparents came to America in the early 1900's from present day eastern Slovakia. Born and raised in Ohio, Anna has been active in her Rusyn heritage from a young age. She donated (along with her older brother) money proceeds from a toy sale to an orphanage in eastern Slovakia, spoke on Rusyn Radio program based out of Pittsburgh, PA, acted as a family's little girl for the traditional Christmas Eve Velija play in Youngstown, OH. Anna has also played her violin for multiple Rusyn cultural events, been a volunteer at other festival events, like the Simply Slavic Festival in Youngstown, OH.
The knowledge for Anna's national title began when she was a member of the Cleveland, Ohio based Rusyn folk ensemble, Karpato-Rus' Ensemble in 2009. Anna was the lead violinist and a dancer. The ensemble was directed by her mother, Laurel Tombazzi. Paul Makousky, from the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society, informed Laurel about the Miss Czech-Slovak US Pageant. Noticing that the Pageant requires ladies starting at age 16 to compete, the Karpato-Rus' Ensemble had no female performers that were age 16 or older at this time.
In early 2015, Laurel Tombazzi was aware on the Miss Czech-Slovak US Pageant website that the nationalities of Czech, Silesian, Moravian and Slovak were on the Pageant application. Winning Queens are awarded the prize of going to either the Czech Republic or Slovakia. Since Rusyns live in eastern Slovakia, Laurel asked the Pageant Committee to add "Rusyn" to the application. (Rusyns live as a minority group in present day eastern Slovakia and do not have a land to call their own. They are eastern Slavs.) The committee happily agreed and asked Laurel to be one of three judges to select a Queen the same year.
(Photo credit Evening Blush Photography & Miss Czech-Slovak US Pageant)
The annual three day Czech Days Festival has been going for 58 years in Wilber, NE drawing crowds of over 50,000 during the first weekend in August. The Pageant has taken place for the past 33 years and is part of the Czech Days Festival.
Paul Burik inducted into Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Paul Burik was born in the city of Budvar – yes, the namesake of Budweiser Beer, in what is now the Czech Republic. He escaped with his father from Czechoslovakia in 1968 after the Soviet invasion
Paul is past president of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation – umbrella organization of the 30 nationality gardens and currently serves as Vice President. He is Cleveland Chapter President of “Svaz Vedy a Umeni”, aka SVU – Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences, organization dedicated to advancing the understanding of Czech, Slovak and Rusyn cultures. Paul is also a member of Sokol Greater Cleveland – Czech athletic and cultural organization. Paul is currently in his second year as Sokol Greater Cleveland President. He is a member of Cleveland Bratislava Sister Cities and Carpatho-Rusyn Society.
On April 16, 2019 Paul Burik was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame by University Circle Incorporated CEO Chris Ronayne.
Chris Ronayne inducts Paul Burik
Paul Burik gives his acceptance speech
Watch the video of Paul Burik being inducted and his speech.
Czechoslovakia 100th anniversary celebration at Bohemian National Hall
2018 is the centennial year of the founding of the country of Czechoslovakia after World War I. This little country, formed out of a piece of the Austro-Hungarian empire became an example of people who had persevered for hundreds of years despite challenges to their very existence. Sokol Greater Cleveland and other organizations hosted a weekend full of events commemorating the centennial of the founding of Czechoslovakia 100 years ago at the Czech Cultural Center in Historic Bohemian National Hall in Cleveland Ohio.
Councilman Tony Brancatelli presents a proclamation to Steve Sebesta and Helen Roth
Members of the Czech, Slovak and Rusyn communities gathered for music and dance, gymnastic demonstrations, special food and imported beers, tours of the historic building and museum, ethnic exhibits, children's activities and a gala a sit-down dinner on Sunday.
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted the 73rd annual One World Day on September 16, 2018. A highlight is the Parade of Flags where people in costumes of their heritage carry the flags. The Czech Garden was well-represented in the Parade.
Czechoslovakia 100th and Prague Spring 50th anniversaries
2018 is a special year. Not only are we celebrating 100 years of the founding of Czechoslovakia, but also 50 years since Prague Spring - the loosening of the tight grip by the communist regime by Slovak Alexander Dubcek, that came to a sudden halt on August 20, 1968 when the country was invaded by Soviet forces.
To commemorate these anniversaries, a re-installation and a re-dedication of two plaques in the Czech Cultural Garden took place on Sunday, August 19, 2018. Paul Burik is a past-president of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) and is also the delegate for the Czech Cultural Garden. He was the driving force behind the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the formation of Czechoslovakia as well as the 50 year anniversary of the Prague Spring. He also served as Master of Ceremonies.
Paul Burik
Czechs, Slovaks, Rusins and representatives from other communities took part as well.
The Czech Cultural Garden and Cleveland Czech community participated in the 71st One World Day on August 28, 2016. They began with the Parade of Flags.
Czech community in Parade of Flags
Ralph Perk Jr with Paul and Fran Burik in Czech Garden
The currrent Miss Czech/Slovak US Queen Miss Michaela Marenka Steager is from Nebraska and is came with her parents to attend One World Day. Michaela is Czech and this was her first trip to Ohio.
Miss Czech/Slovak US Queen at One World Day in Cleveland
Miss Michaela Marenka Steager is the 2016/17 Miss Czech/Slovak US Queen. She lives in Nebraska and came to the 71st annual One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. This was Michaela and her parent's first trip to Ohio. Laurel Tombazzi introduced Michaela and spoke about the competition which now includes Carpatho Rusyn and well as Czech and Slovak heritage. Michaela showed her kroj (traditional costume) which includes a favorite tie from her late grandfather. Watch the video by clicking on the white arrow.
2015
Bohemian National Hall - 4939 Broadway Ave. Cleveland Ohio
The Historic Bohemian National Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Cleveland Landmark.
100th anniversary of the Cleveland Agreement forming Czechoslovakia
The historic Bohemian National Hall was the host venue for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Cleveland Agreement which paved the way for the creation of Czechoslovakia.
Speakers Stephen Sebesta, Fr. Michael Brunovsky and MC Paul Burik
At the 100th anniversary celebration of the historic Cleveland Agreement of 2015, Master of Ceremonies Paul Burik introduced Marjorie Juba to lead the national anthems of the Czech Republic and Slovakia at the Historic Bohemian National Hall. Marjorie led Kde Domov Muj and Fr. Michael Brunovsky led Nad Tatrou Sa Blyska.
Important Documents from the Cleveland Agreement forming Czechoslovakia
The historic Bohemian National Hall was the host venue for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Cleveland Agreement which paved the way for the creation of Czechoslovakia. Many important documents, maps and other resources were on display.
Paul and Fran Burik and other volunteers greeted visitors at the Czech Cultural Garden during One World Day/Festival on August 25, 2014. That's Paul in the background with the hose.
Czech Display at Culture Shock 2013
Tri-C West April 18, 2013
Carl Moravec represented the Czech culture at the 2013 Culture Shock event which was put on by Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) West and the Parma City School District.
Bust of Thomas Masaryk behind Christmas Tree at the Bohemian Hall
Czech Community at Opening of Ames Family Atrium Cleveland Museum of Art October 28, 2012
The Cleveland Czech community was represented at the grand opening of the Ames Family Atrium in the Cleveland Museum of Art on Sunday October 28, 2012.
Supreme Court Justice Terrence O'Donnell congratulates Judge Ralph 'Rocky' Perk on Mayor Ralph Perk's induction into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Wilma Smith proudly displayed her Czech roots at the Hungarian Festival of Freedom celebration 10-21-06
Betty Hosticka and Maree A. Hibler of the Czech Cultural Center
Organizations and Resources for Czechs in Cleveland
Since time immemorial, the Czech lands have been the crossroads of European cultures. The cultural character of Czech cities, villages and spa towns has always been a source of inspiration to visitors and guests, who come here from all corners of the world.
The Czech Republic, among the youngest in the family of European countries, was born on January 1st, 1993, when the Czechoslovak Federal Republic split into two independent states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Since May, 2004, the Czech Republic has been a member of the European Union; it has been a full-fledged NATO member since 2002. (The country has not adopted the Euro yet, however, and still uses its national currency, the Czech crown.)
Even though the Czech Republic’s area of 78,864 square kilometers (about 30,450 square miles) ranks it among small countries, its wealth of natural beauty and monuments of cultural heritage contribute greatly to its global prestige as a major cultural destination.
Read more about the Czech and other Ambassadors. If you are interested in being considered to be an official ClevelandPeople.com Ambassador to the Cleveland Czech community, please contact us.
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