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Stevan Mokranjac Bust Dedication

Dedication of bust of Serbian composer Stevan Mokranjac
Serbian Cultural Garden
August 25, 2013

Dedicated on October 5, 2008, the Serbian Cultural Garden joined over 30 other international gardens in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens along Martin Luther King Drive and East Blvd.

The Serbian Garden features a central plaza with granite accents, foliage native to Serbia, statues of prominent figures in Serbian history and meandering walkways through the garden's lush natural wooded areas.

Serbian Cultural Garden


At the center of the plaza is an iconic relief of Saint Sava that was unveiled during a visit by President Tadic.

On August 25, 2013 the newest addition to the Serbian Garden was unveiled - a bust of prominent Serbian composer and music educator Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac.

Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac

Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac


The ceremony included prayers and a blessing from Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevic from Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral as well as performances from the Serbian Men's Choir 'Kosovo'.

The ceremony began with Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevic from Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral leading the prayers and the Serbian Men's Choir 'Kosovo' singing responses at the bust of Stevan Mokranjac.

Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevic from Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral

Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevic from Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral


Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo

Serbian Men's Choir 'Kosovo'






Next Rev. Jakovljevic spoke about the great Serbs honored in the Serbian Cultural Garden in Cleveland Ohio and pointed out that they are part of the larger world community. This was followed by a song from the Serbian Men's Choir 'Kosovo.'

Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevic from Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral

Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevic


Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo

Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo






Serbian Cultural Garden delegate Alex Machaskee spoke next and told about the Garden operations and future plans including plans for the first woman to be honored in the Garden, Albert Einstein's wife Mileva Maric. Noting the bust of Tesla in the Serbian Garden he also told how the Tesla Electric car will soon be competing with the Porsche for speed records.

Alex Machaskee

Alex Machaskee





Alex Machaskee and Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevic

Alex Machaskee and Rev. Jakovljevic



After moving to the center of the Serbian Garden by the iconic relief of Saint Sava, the Serbian Men's Choir 'Kosovo' performed several songs. The first was one of Stevan Mokranjac's liturgical masterpieces about giving thanks to the Lord.

Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo

Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo





Next was a song called 'Homeland'.

Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo

Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo





The grand finale was a Hymn to St. Sava.

Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo

Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo





Then Alex Machaskee told of his visit to the Mar Sabba (St. Sava the Sanctified) Monastery in the Judean desert several years ago. He learned that this monastery was established in the fifth century. Mar Sabba said some day another St. Sava would come to Mar Sabba and seven hundred years later in the 12th century the monastery of Mar Sabba was visited by St. Sava who became the patron saint of the Serbian people.

Alex said that the hymn to St Sava just sung by the Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo was essentially a response to the burning of relics by the Ottoman Turks. The song says that you may burn the relics but can never burn the spirit of the Serbian people.

Alex Machaskee speaking

Alex Machaskee





The Kosovo Choir then thanked the crowd with a rendition of 'God grant you many years'.

Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo

Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo





Lex Machaskee then told of the importance and uniqueness of the Serbian Garden and the entire chain of Cultural Gardens.

Lex Machaskee speaking

Lex Machaskee


Sam Coso told how America is not a melting pot, it's a bouquet.

Sam Coso

Sam Coso





Enjoy these other images from the dedication ceremony.

Lex Machaskee with Stevan Mokranjac bust

Lex Machaskee with Stevan Mokranjac bust


Steve Coso, Barney Simic and Sam Coso

Steve Coso, Barney Simic and Sam Coso


Alex and Carol Machaskee

Alex and Carol Machaskee


Carter and Georgine Welo

Carter and Georgine Welo


Dr. Rick Zivic, Director of the Kosovo Choir

Dr. Rick Zivic, Director of the Kosovo Choir


Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevic from Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral

Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevic


Alex Machaskee, Rev. Jakovljevic and Barney Simic

Alex Machaskee, Rev. Jakovljevic and Barney Simic


Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac

Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac


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