20 years of Slovenian Statehood Cleveland City Hall June 24, 2011
On June 25, 1991 Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia. 20 years of Slovenian Statehood was celebrated in the Rotunda of Cleveland City Hall on Friday June 24, 2011 with dignitaries and musical performances.
Raine Austen sang the United States National Anthem.
Raine Austen
The Slovenian National Anthem was then sung by Mi smo Mi Young Men's Choral Group.
Mi smo Mi Slovenian Men's Chorus
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson spoke and welcomed the crowd.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson
Next, Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia Mr. Jure Žmauc spoke.
Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia Mr. Jure Žmauc
Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek read a resolution from City Council.
Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek
Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman then read the resolution in Slovenian and presented it to Consul General Jure Žmauc.
Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman
Councilman Cimperman then spoke about his own Slovenian heritage.
The next to speak was Ohio State Representative Kenny Yuko.
Ohio State Representative Kenny Yuko
US Senator Rob Portman's representative George Brown read a proclamation from the United States Senate on the occasion of 20 years of Slovenian statehood.
US Senator Rob Portman's representative George Brown
Then the keynote speaker was introduced. Dr. Boštjan Žekš, Minister for Slovenes Abroad gave the keynote address.
Dr. Boštjan Žekš, Minister for Slovenes Abroad
The musical portion of the event included of a stirring rendition of God Bless America by Raine Austen.
Raine Austen
Then the Men's Chorus Mi smo Mi performed.
Slovenec Sem
Oj Triglab, Moj Dom
Pri Farni Cerkvki
Planinska
Enjoy these images from the Slovenian Statehood Celebration at Cleveland City Hall.
Jim Georgiades and Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductee August Pust
Councilman Joe Cimperman, United States Ambassador to Slovenia Mr. Joseph Mussomeli and Councilman Mike Polensek
Slovenian Ambassador to the United States Mr. Roman Kirn and United States Ambassador to Slovenia Mr. Joseph Mussomeli
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Charles A. de la Porte, Honorary Consul, Consulate of the Netherlands
Father John Kumse and Councilman Joe Cimperman
Dr. Boštjan Žekš, George Brown and Mr. Jure Žmauc
Kenny and Pam Yuko with Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductee Tony Petkovsek
Judge Ron and Patricia Suster
Ed and Helen Oshaban with Olga Merela
Crila Kermavner and Stefan Vesel
Olga Dorchak, Ivana Yuko and Gerri Trebets
Dolores Hrovat, Many Toncar, Raine Austen and Greg Sadlek
Joe and Rita Skoda
Matt and Breda Loncar
Nora and Maeve Cimperman
Arnie de la Porte with Yana and Alin Rosca
Dorothy Gorjup and Olga Dorchak
City group that traveled to Slovenia
City Hall crowd for Slovenian Statehood celebration
