Croatian Cultural Garden Ground Breaking April 30, 2011
On Saturday April 30, 2011 ground was broken in a ceremony at the site of the Croatian Cultural Garden.
This will be the first garden of its kind in the United States and Canada to celebrate the contributions of the Croatian people and to serve as a visible symbol of Croatia’s rich heritage.
The Croatian Garden received a challenge grant of $50,000 from the Edward and Catherine Lozick Foundation. The local Croatian community raised the matching $50,000.
Edward Lozick and Branka Malinar
Father Zvonko Blasko, associate pastor at St. Paul Croatian Church on E. 40th St. in Cleveland, who blessed the Garden.
Father Zvonko Blasko, associate pastor at St. Paul Croatian Church on E. 40th St. in Cleveland
Branka Malinar led the crowd in a short program which included the reading of a certificate from Michael Patterson of Congressman Dennis Kucinich's office.
Michael Patterson of Congressman Dennis Kucinich's office
Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation president Paul Burik then welcomed the Croatians to the family of Gardens.
Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation president Paul Burik
Then dignitaries and members of the Croatian Garden committee grabbed shovels and broke ground.
The highlight of the Croatian Garden will be a bronze piece entitled "Immigrant Mother," which shows a woman holding on to her two children. The late Joseph Turkaly created the piece. His son Thomas Turkaly said it represents "a universal theme for the immigrants coming from all over the world to Cleveland."
Julia Turkaly, wife of sculptor Joseph Turkaly, with son John
The next step is for volunteers to work on construction of the central plaza, a waterfall and walkways that will define the landscaped area.
Plans for the Cleveland Croatian Garden
The Croatian Garden is expected to be complete sometime this fall.
Enjoy these images from the Croatian Garden ceremony.
Watching the ground breaking in the Croatian Garden
Jerry Malinar with two of his grandsons Jessie Rogers and Kevin Kleinsmith with the Croatian Flag
Helena Mazura holding her three years old granddaughter, Ella Campbell
Isabella
Branka Malinar and Harry Jerinic - Croatian Cultural Garden committee members
Victoria
Peter, Gabbie and Nick Cveljo
Edward Lozick
Jerry and Branka Malinar
Slavko Katic and Harry Jerinic
Tom Turkaly with the Croatian Garden plans
Paul Burik and Father Zvonko Blasko
Mary Hamlin from the British Garden with Marko Lasic and Kathy Kuhar
Gary Kotlarsic from the Polish Garden with son Gustav
Zdenka Raguz and Chritine Vidmar
Croatian children with Father Zvonko Blasko
Erika Puussaar of the Estonian Graden and Jerry Malinar
Danijela
Julia Turkaly, Thomas Turkaly and Jerry Malinar
Branka Malinar, Paul Burik, Jerry Malinar and Mary Hamlin
