Kurentovanje Parade in Cleveland 6417 St Clair Ave. February 10, 2018
The 6th annual Cleveland version of the most popular carnival in Slovenia - Kurentovanje - was a weeklong event featuring dinners, a dance party, bocce tournament and more. But the highlight was the annual Kurentovanje parade followed by the festival celebration in the Slovenian national Home.
The units gathered in a freezing drizzle at St. Martin de Porres High School gym. Here is a short video of the St Martin de Porres High School drum line and dancers warming up before the parade.
NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
The units then gathered on Lausche Ave. Here is a short video of some musicians warming up on their float.
The parade stepped off from Lausche and proceeded to St Clair ending at the Slovenian National Home.
Kurentovanje is a cultural event which connects ethnology, culture, arts, and people from all over Europe. It has been celebrated in Slovenia for the past 50 years. The central figure of the carnival, the Kurent, is believed to chase away winter and usher in spring with its supernatural powers. Kurentovanje has a Mardi Gras feel so many participants wore masks to help scare away winter.
Did you know that there are more Slovenians in Cleveland Ohio than anywhere in the world except for Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia?
We have 2 videos of some highlights from the 2018 6th annual Kurentovanje Parade in Cleveland. The first is shorter and shows the units stepping off on Lausche Ave.
The second is longer and features the St Clair portion of the parade and the festivities once the marchers reached the Slovenian National Home.
***
Stay informed about the local Slovenian community by signing up for the free Slovenian eNews mailings. You can select other specific groups as well. It's easy and free. Fill out the form for the free Slovenian eNews.
If it's Slovenian in Cleveland, it's on ClevelandPeople.Com***
Here are some more photos from the 2018 Kurentovanje Parade in Cleveland.
Krampus of Cleveland characters with Councilman Mike Polensek
Float in Cleveland Kurentovanje Parade
Folklorna Skupina Kres
Princess and Prince of Kurentovanje
St Vitus Adult Slovenian School
Float in Cleveland Kurentovanje Parade
Gilmour Gladiators
St Martin De Porres High School drummers and dancers
Slovenes of Minnesota
***
Want to learn about ethnic and cultural events in Cleveland such as the Kurentovanje Parade and Festival? Sign up for the free eNews and every Tuesday evening you will receive a free e-mail listing the next week's events. It's easy and free.
When the parade arrived at the Slovenian National Home on St. Clair, the crowds moved inside for more entertainment, music, vendors and food and drink.
