The annual Opera in the Italian Cultural Garden was held on Sunday July 27, 2025 and featured The Cleveland Opera and the Cleveland Ballet Theater with almost two thousand in attendance. People came early and set up picnics - some very elaborate.
The annual Taste of St. Casimir took place at the historic Church on a steamy weekend on July 26 and 27, 2025. There was music, dancing, Church tours and great Polish food.
Volunteers serving Polish food at Taste of St Casimir
PERUCAN-OH is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Perú in the community, through educational projects and cultural events. Their first and most ambitious project to date is to design, create, and maintain a Peruvian Cultural Garden as part of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. They hosted their annual Peruvian Picnic in Cleveland on Sunday July 20, 2025.
El Sapo translates to the Toad. In the Peruvian game of Sapo, players toss gold coins toward a board with holes and a frog with an open mouth - el sapo. Gazan Pino showed us the game at the Perucan-OH annual Peruvian Picnic. If you get the coin in the frog's mouth, that is the maximum and you get 4000 points. There are also holes on the board so if the coin goes in one of those, it falls to an area with a number of points. It is part of Peruvian culture. Watch this short video.
Saint Sava Serbian Festival
Saint Sava Serbian Festival
Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral hosted their annual Serbian Festival on July 19 and 20, 2025. The Festival had entertainment, Church tours, music, resource tables, vendors and great food.
The Polish American Cultural Center JPII held their annual picnic on Saturday July 19, 2025. There was music, dancing, great Polish food and drink as well as opportunities to tour the Polish Museum and see the outside garden displays.
The African American Cultural Garden in Cleveland Ohio hosted their first annual Golf for the Garden event on Saturday July 19, 2025. AACG leaders such as Executive Director Obie Shelton and past-President Carl Ewing recognized the unique landscape of the garden which made it the perfect place for people to show off their short game - putting and pitching.
Keeping with the historical and educational components of the AACG, they paid tribute to pioneer Charlie Sifford.
Louis Prima Exhibit at the Italian American Museum
Louis Prima Exhibit at the Italian American Museum
Louis Prima was an Italian American trumpeter, singer, entertainer, and bandleader. Prima made prominent use of Italian music and language in his songs, blending elements of his Italian and Sicilian identity with jazz and swing music. On Thursday July 17, 2025, there was a grand opening event at the Italian American Museum of Cleveland for people to tour a new exhibit dedicated to Italian American jazz musician Louis Prima (1910-1978) titled: Louis Prima: A Life in Rhythm & Music.
After the preview tour of the new Louis Prima: A Life in Rhythm & Music exhibit at the Italian American Museum of Cleveland the attendees went across the street in Cleveland's Little Italy to Angelo's Nido Italia for dinner and a concert. Italian American jazz trumpeter, composer, and big band leader Dominick Farinacci put together and all-star band for the tribute. Farinacci is from Cleveland, and began playing trumpet in sixth grade at age eleven in the Cleveland suburb of Solon.
Christopher Burge (sax) and Dominick Farinacci (trumpet) enter in through the audience
All the traditional Greek food items were available at the St Paul Greek Fest in either the Dining Room, Under the Tent or On the Deck such as Lamb Shank, Athenian Chicken, Moussaka, Gyros, Souvlaki (pork and chicken), Pastitsio, Spanakopita, Orzo Salad, Tzatziki, Dolmathes, Tiropita, Saganaki with Pita and much more. Of course the Pastries are very popular such as Baklava, Bougatsa, Karithopita and much more including Loukoumades.
Here is a short video explaining Loukoumades.
Hungarian Cultural Garden Golf Outing
Hungarian Cultural Garden Golf Outing
The Hungarian Cultural Garden is one of over 40 ethnic gardens in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. It is approaching 90 years old and by the efforts of volunteers and fundraisers such as this golf outing, it has maintained and enhanced its position as a jewel of the Cultural Gardens.
The Cleveland American Middle Eastern Organization (CAMEO) has been in existence for over 50 years. C.A.M.E.O. is designed to articulate the political interest of more than 275,000 Northeastern Ohio residents of Middle Eastern Heritage, Arab Americans.
At their annual picnic on Sunday July 14, 2024 CAMEO welcomed friends and dozens of politicians running for office and/or there to show support for the Arab American community.
CAMEO President Pierre Bejjani
One new addition at the CAMEO picnic was the ClevelandPeople.com map of the Middle East. Here are some images of people showing where their heritage began.
Cleveland French Community Bastille Day Celebration
Cleveland French Community Bastille Day Celebration
Members of the French American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) held their annual Bastille Day celebration on Sunday July 13, 2025 at a new French restaurant, La Ville Lumière. La Ville Lumière translates to City of Lights and, as you will see in the video, FACC President Larry Miller told of the connection re Paris and Cleveland as cities of light. He also told of the vibrant relationship between Cleveland and its Sister City Rouen France.
Lithuanian Ambassador to the US Audra Plepyte in Cleveland
Lithuanian Ambassador to the US Audra Plepyte in Cleveland
The Lithuanian Ambassador to the US Audra Plepyte was in Cleveland over the weekend of June 27-29, 2025 for the Lithuanian Song Festival. The morning after the concert she met with a group of community leaders at the Ukrainian Museum and Archives in Cleveland.
Dr. George Jaskiw, Lithuania Ambassador to the US Audra Plepyte and Honorary Lithuanian Consul Ingrida Bublys
Annual Liszt Concert in the Hungarian Cultural Garden
Annual Liszt Concert in the Hungarian Cultural Garden
Each year the Hungarian Cultural Garden puts on a free performance for the community featuring the music of Franz Liszt and others. Despite sweltering heat, the performers did a great job.
Immediate Past Hungarian Garden President Carolyn Balogh and new President Ron Kovach
The Estonian Cultural Garden was dedicated June 19, 1966. Each year, the Estonian community and friends gather to celebrate Estonian Victory Day (Võidupüha) and St John's Day (Jaanipäev).
The African American Cultural Garden in Cleveland Ohio hosted their annual Juneteenth celebration on Thursday June 19, 2025. The weather did not cooperate - there were some torrential rains - but there were still a lot of fun and informative features that were able to continue.
The Greek Cultural Garden in Cleveland, under the direction of Greek Garden Association President Lou Frangos, hosted a program on June 17 in the Greek Cultural Garden in Cleveland to welcome Honorable Ioannis-Michail Loverdos the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece.
Lou Frangos and Deputy Minister Loverdos
Other guests included Consul General of Greece in Chicago Emmanuel Koubarakis and His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh.
I was honored to do an interview with WKYC anchor Russ Mitchell about ClevelandPeople.com, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame, the Cultural Gardens, etc. which ran the other day confirmed two of my beliefs: 1) Russ Mitchell is a real pro and 2) I have a face for radio. Lol. I didn't speak much/enough about Mom or Debbie because I still get choked up. Watch the interview (broken into 2 segments) below.
Mayo Society Tea
Mayo Society Tea
The Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland was founded in 2004 by Gerry Quinn as a not-for-profit corporation to provide a forum for information and activities of interest to individuals of Irish descent particularly those with ancestral ties to County Mayo. Ed McNamara is the current president. They held their annual meeting and a social tea on Sunday June 8, 2025. Along with the business, there were performances by the Kilroys and Burke School of Irish Dance.
Sergey Edilyan is the new Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Ohio. He was honored at an official Inauguration Ceremony on June 6, 2025 in the Rotunda of Cleveland City Hall. Among the honored guests in attendance was Her Excellency Lilit Makunts, Ambassador of Armenia to the United States.
Ambassador Lilit Makunts and Honorary Consul Sergey Edilyan
On June 1, 2025 the Cleveland Russian Cultural Garden hosted a Children's Day at their Garden. The weather was beautiful and a large group attended and took part in games, music, performances, food and more.
The City of Cleveland, under the leadership of Asian Community Liaison Chia-Min Chen, hosted the first Asian Heritage Day in the Rotunda of Cleveland City Hall on May 30, 2025. About 15 Asian heritages were represented with tables showcasing the flags, clothing and other items of their heritage. Besides the Rotunda visitors, the representatives of the various cultures had the opportunity to connect with each other - some for the first time.
The 2025 Cleveland Asian Festival was a rousing success with over 44,000 attendees. The annual 2 day festival included performances, food, cultural displays, health screenings, games, kids and family activities and more.
CAF Mascots and Lynna Lai in Trivia Contest
The following links will take you to pages with pictures and videos of performances, activities and people at the 2025 Cleveland Asian Festival.
The 2025 Cleveland Asian Festival attracted over 40,000 visitors over May 17 and 18, 2025. There were performances, lots of food, cultural information and more including information and community resources. Oanh Loi-Powell served as MC for the Colors of Asia Fashion Show which showcased traditional costumes from Kazakhstan, Japan, Vietnam, China, Korea, India, the Philippines and Taiwan. Watch
Takashi Murakami - Cleveland Museum of Art
Takashi Murakami - Cleveland Museum of Art
Prepare to be blown away. The Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art is incredible. It's larger than life (literally), colorful, bold and a must-see if you can get to the Cleveland Museum of Art before it closes on September 7, 2025.
A 'Yatra' is a holy pilgrimage. For 25 years, Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio (AIPNO) has conducted Medical Yatras to tend to the needs of the poorest in different areas of India. Many of the people that the team of doctors see and treat have never had any contact with a medical professional. At the 25th anniversary celebration, Ramesh Shah was honored with the Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio Outstanding Service Award.
AIPNO President Dr. Palak Shroff, Dr. Jaya Shah, Ramesh Shah and Dr. Rupesh Raina
The Cleveland Hungarian Museum hosted a 40th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday May 10, 2025 in the Galleria in Cleveland just outside the Museum. Almost 200 people attended. The program included speeches, congratulatory messages, a panel discussion and performances by Harmonia and two Hungarian dancers.
Nauryz symbolizes the renewal of nature and people and the beginning of a new life. In Cleveland, Aigerim Alibek organized a celebration of Nauryz among the Kazakh community. They made a yurt and all the decorations inside the yurt were completely made and sewn by her. A yurt is an ancient version of the modern tent. They cooked Kazakh national dishes, sang and danced Kazakh traditional songs and dances.
Feria de Cleveland is an annual celebration bringing the vibrant energy of Spain's spring fairs to Cleveland. Hosted by Abrepaso Flamenco and the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center, this family-friendly event featured live flamenco performances, dance competitions, authentic Spanish fashion, music, arts and crafts, and delicious food.
A Tribute to Pope Francis by Basil M. Russo, President, COPOMIAO
Pope Francis was elected as the 266th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013. He passed away April 21 at 88 in Vatican City. With a grin and quiet optimism, Pope Francis broke through to the world. Pope Francis led the Church with humility, compassion and a moral conscience deeply attuned to the struggles of everyday people.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he never lost touch with his Italian immigrant roots — serving as a voice for both the forgotten and the faithful across the globe. His papacy reminded us that joy and grace can be found even in life’s most difficult moments; he inspired millions and renewed the spirit of the Church.
As leaders of the Italian American community, we were deeply humbled by his presence, his soft-spoken wisdom and his ability to break through to the world.
-The Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO)
Formed in NYC in 1975, the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO) — a national coalition of 71 cultural, educational, fraternal and anti-defamation groups — seeks to promote our history and traditions for today’s generations, and tomorrow’s.
Basil Russo was fortunate enough to be afforded two private audiences with Pope Francis, the last of which was with his family in January of this year.
Pope Francis and Basil Russo
Cleveland Ethnic Bucket List
Cleveland Ethnic Bucket List
We always get asked what are the best ethnic events each year. While "best" is a subjective term we decided to put together a list of annual ethnic events that we have experienced and think that every Clevelander should attend at least once. There are a lot of one-time or every few years' events that you should attend as well (like the Lithuanian Song Festival in June or the Convencion Hispana every 3 years). But this initial list will be annual events.
We want your input. What does every resident of, and visitor to, The Land need to witness? We will be collecting your input and merging with our long list and then narrowing down to a definitive (in our opinion) checklist. Let us know how many of these you have already experienced. You can email us with your suggestions.
Here's a short alphabetical list of "must-do's" to get started. Don't be offended or worry if your favorite is not listed. This is just the start.
Cleveland Asian Festival (AsiaTown - 30th and Payne)
Columbus Day Parade (Little Italy)
Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductions (Windows on the River)
Feast of the Assumption (Little Italy)
Greek Independence Day Parade (West 14th)
India Republic Day (various)
Juneteenth Celebration (African American Cultural Garden)
Liszt Concert (Hungarian Cultural Garden)
Lunar New Year (AsiaPlaza and other)
Mexican Day of the Dead (Gordon Square)
Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival (County Fairgrounds)
Oktoberfest (County Fair Grounds)
One World Day (Cleveland Cultural Gardens)
Opera in the Italian Garden
Polish Constitution Day Parade (Polish Village in Parma)
Puerto Rican Day Parade (West 25th by Metro)
Romanian Festival (St Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral)
Slovenian Kurentovaje (62nd and St. Clair)
St. Patrick's Day Parade (Superior Ave downtown)
Ukrainian Independence Day Parade (Ukrainian Village in Parma)
They're Baaaaack - in AsiaTown
They're Baaaaack - in AsiaTown
The three young unintentional heroes who solved a series of murders in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens find themselves in the middle of another mystery.
In Murder in AsiaTown DJ, Ren and Peggy, called a modern Mod Squad, discover a decades old murder case from Cleveland’s Chinatown. While working to showcase and document the history of the Chinese community and neighborhood they stumble upon some disturbing news. Their efforts take them all over the Chinatown and AsiaTown neighborhoods of Cleveland Ohio and includes numerous historic facts and stories. When it looks like they have the case solved, a surprising twist emerges.
This is Cleveland author Dan Hanson's second book. The first book, Murder in the Cultural Gardens, is a “whodunit” murder mystery set in the real world Cleveland Cultural Gardens. An unlikely new “Mod Squad” stumbles upon a series of murders in their beloved Gardens and assist in solving the crimes. All 30+ of the Cultural Gardens are covered in the book so readers learn about this treasure while trying to figure out the mystery.
You can find them on Amazon and in local bookstores like Mac'sBacks on Coventry. Or email for autogaphed copies. They make great Christmas gifts!
Murder in the Cultural Gardens
Murder in the Cultural Gardens
"It just didn't seem right to DJ. A body found bludgeoned in a place known for "Peace through Mutual Understanding." But there she was, crumpled behind a bust of composer Franz Liszt in the Hungarian Cultural Garden. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed 911. "What is the nature of your emergency?" the dispatcher queried. With a suddenly very dry mouth DJ managed to get out, "There's been a murder in the Cultural Gardens."
That's the beginning of the recently published first novel by Dan Hanson.
The whodunit, titled Murder in the Cultural Gardens, takes place in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and all 30+ gardens are featured during the mystery. You may even recognize some of the characters.
Click the link above to learn more or to purchase in paperback or Kindle version from Amazon. Or contact Dan via the Murder in the Cultural Gardens webpage to have a signed book delivered.
Cleveland is a diverse city with about 120 distinct ethnic heritages represented. We at ClevelandPeople.com and the Cleveland International Hall of Fame believe that this ethnic diversity makes us a much richer city and that we should all celebrate this fact.
We asked people from various ethnic groups to create a tile representing their heritage. These 3 quilts are a product of that effort. We hope that other ethnic groups will want to add their own tile to these patchworks showcasing our ethnic diversity.
This DVD is a Living Rosary in the sense that over 200 people participated in saying a prayer. 3 bishops, numerous priests and sisters and a variety of lay people all said a prayer (Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary or Glory Be) that when put together combine to form the complete Rosary.
We hope that you will pray along with the diverse group of people on this DVD. They are young and old, different races and ethnicities, in Church and outside, alone and in groups. The prayers are said in English, but occasionally there is a prayer in another language. You may not know the language but will understand, and be able to pray along, because of the context.
We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Please note that some of the links on this website are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we will earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
If you want your group's events listed in our Calendar, please send an e-mail to events@clevelandpeople.com with the details. Please allow at least 2 weeks lead time.
Do you need a Hungarian Flag? A shirt that says "I love Slovenian girls"? How about a sign that says No Parking except for Irish Grandmother?
These and hundreds of other items for your particular ethnic group are available for browsing at our on-line store. It's safe, fast, easy and fun. And there is a wide selection you will never find in the stores!
