2023
Update from Ivan Cerquera, President, The Ohio Colombian FoundationOn behalf of The Ohio Colombian Foundation's board of directors, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who joined us for the 2023 Colombian Carnival, Fundraising for the Garden, held on October 14th. Your presence and support made this event truly special, and we couldn't be more grateful for your participation and trust in our mission.
Our goal of creating a Colombian Garden that enriches the lives of not only the Colombian community but also everyone in Cleveland is a vision we hold dear. Our slogan, "Building a Colombian Garden for All," embodies our commitment to creating a vibrant, inclusive space that fosters cultural exchange, community connections, and shared experiences.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to our sponsors and donors who played a crucial role in making this event possible. Your generous contributions have a direct impact on our ability to realize this vision, and we are immensely grateful for your support.
For those who were unable to attend the carnival, please know that you were missed, and we hope to see you at any of our future events. We have many exciting plans ahead, and your participation will make a significant difference. We also encourage you to consider supporting our cause by clicking the "Donate" button on our website.
Colombian Cultural Garden at One World Day
August 27, 2023The Cleveland Colombian community demonstrated their proud heritage at One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 50,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2023. The Parade of Flags had 1500 people from over 53 countries. Colombia Garden in Parade of Flags at One World Day
See more of the Columbia Garden at One World Day 2023
2022
Colombian Cultural Garden at One World Day
August 28, 2022The Cleveland Colombian community demonstrated their proud heritage at One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 40,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2022.The Colombian community participated in the Parade of Flags and then welcomed visitors to their Garden and shared their culture.  Colombian Cultural Garden at One World Day In the Colombian Garden on One World Day
See more of the Columbia Garden at One World Day 2022
2021
Colombian Cultural Garden at One World Day
August 29, 2021Cleveland's Colombian community was well-represented at the 75th annual One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. They marched in the Parade of Flags and attracted hundreds of visitors to their in-progress Cultural Garden. Colombia Garden in the Parade of Flags at One World Day 
Ohio Colombian Foundation Colombian Independence Day PicnicOn Sunday, July 18, 2021, friends of the Ohio Colombian Foundation (OCF) gathered at the French Creek Reservation in Sheffield, Ohio, to celebrate Colombian Independence Day with food, fun, friends and family.
The July 20th holiday marks the date in 1810 that sparked a revolution that eventually led to Colombia's independence from Spain nearly a decade later. Photos and more from the Colombian Independence Day picnic
Colombian Cultural Garden
2019
Colombian community at One World Day
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation hosted the 74th annual One World Day on August 25, 2019. Police estimates say that over 30,000 people visited the Gardens and attended One World Day. Though the Colombian community does not yet have a completed Cultural Garden, the culture was well represented.See more from the 2019 One World Day. A highlight of One World Day is the Parade of Flags where people in costumes of their heritage carry the flags. This year was undoubtedly the largest and most colorful in memory.
Colombian community in the One World Day Parade of Flags
Video and pictures from the Parade of Flags at 2019 One World Day
Cleveland Cultural Garden Colombian Garden Project
The Ohio Colombian Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in July 2018 for educational, charitable purposes and most importantly to keep present and alive the heritage of Colombian cultural values and traditions. They support and promote education, peace, culture and community development throughout the state of Ohio.
They have been working to create a Colombian Cultural Garden. It would be the first Hispanic heritage garden in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens chain.
Ivan Cerquera, Luz Elena Klopp and Maria Pujana made a presentation at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation board meeting on January 9, 2019 describing their mission and plans.
Ivan Cerquera, Luz Elena Klopp amd Maria Pujana presenting
- 10.8% of Cleveland's population is Hispanic. 3.5% in Ohio.
- Currently there is no Colombian or Hispanic garden
- Proposed location near Ethiopian Garden on MLK
- 3000 square feet
- Proposed Budget $500,000
- Design Team - Cathy Soergel Marshall, Coordinator Associate Professor Kent State University
- Will be a foundation for other Latin gardens and guide and support other communities to follow
- Renderings and Architect Design planned by 8-1-19
- Launch July 20, 2020
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation board voted to approve the Ohio Colombian Foundation as community representative for the proposed Colombian Garden.
 Maria Pujana, Dan Hanson, Luz Elena Klopp amd Ivan Cerquera,
Congratulations on this important step!
2018
One World Day 2018The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted the 73rd annual One World Day on September 16, 2018. A highlight is the Parade of Flags where people in costumes of their heritage carry the flags. The Colombian community was well-represented in the Parade.
Colombia in Parade of Flags
See video, photos and more from the Parade of Flags
Back to the 2018 One World Day main page
2015
Traditional Colombian Clothing
A highlight of the 6th annual Holiday Celebration of Cleveland's Diversity held in the atrium of the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center by the International Community Council-Worldwide Intercultural Network (ICC-WIN) was the multicultural fashion show.Lucy Klopp wore a typical outfit from Colombia in South America, from the region of Huila, located in the SW territory. The dress is composed of different pieces: a bouquet of artificial flowers for the head, blouse, skirt with flowers and golden slippers.
Videos and photos of the International Fashion Show
Young Athletes from Colombia at Continental Cup in Cleveland
The Continental Cup, put on by the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, is now in its 10th year and the 2015 event had 3300 athletes from 11 countries including Tanzania, Kenya, Mongolia, China, Bermuda, China, Colombia, Canada, Brazil, Nepal and Greece.  Young Athletes from Colombia at Continental Cup in Cleveland
See more of the Colombian athletes and others
2011
Young athletes from Colombia compete in the 2011 Continental CupJune 30, 2011
Young athletes from Colombia compete in the 2011 Continental Cup
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Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A nearly five-decade long conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia as a formal organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government, but continue attacks against civilians. Large areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. In November 2012, the Colombian Government started formal peace negotiations with the FARC aimed at reaching a definitive bilateral ceasefire and incorporating demobilized FARC members into mainstream society and politics. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties. (Facts courtesy of the CIA World Factbook)
Submit your Cleveland Colombian cultural items.
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