Tesla Nation at 7:30 PM on February 16, 2022 on WVIZ’s WORLD Channel
There will be a free screening of the feature documentary Tesla Nation by Zeljko Mirkovic on the Cleveland local public television network, WVIZ’s WORLD Channel, on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. It will be beneficial to the Cleveland area’s broader audience so they can learn more about Serbian-American immigrant culture and contributions made to the United States and the world. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences qualified Tesla Nation for the nomination of the Academy Award Oscar 2020 for the feature documentary. The film is directed by Zeljko Mirkovic, Oscar qualified, multi-award winning filmmaker and film professor in the United States.
Additionally, the segment being broadcast will feature Alex Machaskee who was the CEO and Publisher of the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper and a very successful businessman and community service person in the Cleveland area. Also, one of the film parts is dedicated to the Serbian Cultural Garden and the film message is “Peace through understanding” which is the main message of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens in Rockefeller Park.
Spanning more than 200 years, the film recounts the stories of many Serbian-Americans throughout history from George Fisher, the first famous Serbian-American who is included in John Livingston’s Portraits of Eminent Americans Now Living (1853), to Mihajlo I. Pupin and Nikola Tesla, Serbian-American Scientists and Inventors, World War I and II immigrants up to the present time. You will also meet three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Walt Bogdanich who works for the New York Times; Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, the first woman from Columbia University at the New York Academy of Science for Engineering; Serbian-American engineers who created the Apollo Space Program; legendary Academy Award winners Karl Malden, Steve Tesich, Peter Bogdanovich, and many more whose names are woven into the United States history. It stresses overall Serbian-American contributions to building America and the world.
Cleveland's Serbian community was well-represented at the 75th One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens on August 29, 2021. They marched in the Parade of Flags and hosted music, food and cultural activities in the beautiful Serbian Cultural Garden.
Serbian Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags
For many visitors this was the first chance to see the new bust of Desanka Maksimovich, the Serbian poet, writer and translator.
Desanka Maksimovich bust in Serbian Cultural Garden
The Serbian Cultural Garden is one of over 30 ethnic heritage gardens in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens in Cleveland Ohio. The founder and driving force of the Serbian Cultural Garden is Serbian Honorary Consul Alex Machaskee and he gave some history and led a tour of the Garden explaining the various features including the large icon of St. Sava and the busts of Nikola Tesla, King Peter 1, Mileva Maric, Nadezda Petrovic, Michael Pupin, Milutin Milankovic, Petar Njegos, Stevan Mokranjac, Vuk Karadzic and other Serbian cultural figures.
Serbian Ambassador to the U.S., Marko Djuric visits the Serbian Cultural Garden
In a recent visit to Cleveland, Serbian Ambassador to the U.S., Marko Djuric (since October 8, 2020) visited the Serbian Cultural Garden. The tour was led by Serbian Garden founder Alex Machaskee and included South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo, Lex Machaskee and officials of the Serbian National Federation from Pittsburgh.
Mayor Georgine Welo, Ambassador Marko Djuric and Alex Machaskee with the bust of Nikola Tesla
We asked community leaders of various ethnic heritages to share some holiday traditions of their culture.South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo and Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductee Alex Machaskee graciously shared some Serbian holiday traditions with us.
Burning of the badnjak outside of St Sava Cathedral in Cleveland
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. There was a lot of activity in the beautiful and historic Serbian Cultural Garden which served as host garden for the welcoming and naturalization ceremonies.
Serbian Cultural Garden on 2019 One World Day
Alex Machaskee. Mayor Georgine Welo and Serbian clergy
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.
As host garden for One World Day, the Serbian Garden was featured on Fox 8's morning show. Watch the video of the segment.
2018
Serbian community at International Cleveland Community Day
International Cleveland Community Day at the Cleveland Museum of Art is a celebration of the rich diversity of our region’s multiethnic communities, featuring traditional music and dance performances, cultural displays, and ingallery experiences. During this vibrant afternoon, visitors enjoyed presentations from more than 50 community groups expressing the continued vitality of the global cultures and arts that enliven our city.
The Serbian community was represented with a banners, information table and a performance by Nada Martinovics.
Nada Martinovics with Serbia banner in Art Museum
Nada and Danica Martinovics with Lex Machaskee at Serbia table
Nada Martinovics singing
Click on the white arrow to watch Nada Martinovics singing a song popular to all in the former Yugoslavia about a young man singing about his flawless sweetheart.
Serbian Cultural Garden on One World Day 2018
The Cleveland Serbian community was out in full force at the 73rd annual One World Day on the site of the Serbian Cultural Garden. Members of the community marched in the annual Parade of Flags and later there was music, dancing, entertainment, food and fun as members of the Serbian community shared their culture with thousands of visitors on One World Day.
Nadezda Petrovic Bust dedication in Serbian Cultural Garden
Under the leadership of Alex Machaskee, the Serbian Cultural Garden in Cleveland continues to grow. A new bust of Nadezda Petrovic was dedicated on Sunday August 19th in the Serbian Cultural Garden. His Grace Bishop Irinej and Fr. Dragoslav Kosic officiated at the dedication.
His Grace Bishop Irinej and Very Rev. Dragoslav Kosic led the blessing and dedication of the bust of Nadezda Petrovic
Nadezda Petrovic Bust in Cleveland Serbian Cultural Garden
2017
Fashions from Serbia at Cleveland multicultural party
A highlight of the 8th Annual ICC-WIN Cleveland Multicultural Holiday Celebration on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at the Global Center for Health Innovation in Cleveland was the International Fashion Show featuring almost 100 models from about 30 countries.
Sladjana Kozul, Elena Kozul, Tijana Kozul and Milica Tojagic represented Serbia.
Among the creative aspects of the culture of the Serbian nation, traditional costumes occupy one of the most important places because of their role in everyday life, their significance for ethnic identity, and their value artistically and aesthetically. This variety and richness is present in both men's and women's costumes.
Sladjana Kozul is presenting a traditional outfit from the region Vlasko. It is located in the south eastern part of Serbia. Originating back to the 1700s. Milica Tojagic, Elena Kozul and Tijana KOzul are wearing a traditional outfit from the central part of Serbia (Shumadija) - characterized by a colorful and rich hand-stitched embroidery. Most of the costumes have been saved from the XIX century and characterized by a great diversity in form and decoration.
Note the difference in style and color as we move to Southern parts of this country.
(Click on the white arrow to watch the video)
Representing Serbia
Tijana and Elena Kozul
Sladjana Kozul and Milica Tojagic
Sladjana Kozul and Milica Tojagic with young Tijana and Elena Kozul representing Serbia
Milutin Milankovic Bust dedication in Serbian Cultural Garden
The Serbian Cultural Garden in Cleveland continues to grow. A new bust of Milutin Milankovic was dedicated on Sunday August 20th in the Serbian Cultural Garden. His Grace Bishop Irinej, Fr. Leontije Alavanja and Fr. Dragoslav Kosic officiated at the dedication.
New Milutin Milankovic bust in Serbian Cultural Garden
Dana Martinovic created a model of a Serbian village using dolls. It was on display at the 38th annual SerbFest was held at St Sava's Cathedral in Cleveland.
Cleveland Serbian community at Cleveland Multicultural Event
The Cleveland Serbian Community was represented at the 7th annual International Community Council - Worldwide Intercultural Network (ICC-WIN) holiday party on December 14, 2016.
120 people participated in the fashion show and each walked the runway to music from their country. Click on the white arrow to watch the short video of the Serbian models Marija Cosic, Milica Karanovic, Mirjana Karanovic and youngsters Lea Pavlovic and Katarina Gavric.
The Serbian Cultural Garden and Serbian community participated in the 71st One World Day on August 28, 2016. They began with the Parade of Flags.
Throughout the day members of the Serbian community of Cleveland hosted hundreds of visitors in the Serbian Cultural Garden and shared Serbian music, dance and culture.
Mileva Maric Bust Dedication in the Serbian Cultural Garden
The Serbian Cultural Garden honors many Serbian figures such as Nikola Tesla, King Peter I, Michael Pupin, Stevan Mokranjac, Bishop Petar Njegos and Vuk Karadzic. A new bust was dedicated on Sunday June 19, 2016 honoring Mileva Maric the Serbian physicist and mathematician who was the wife and scientific partner of Albert Einstein.
The ceremony included a blessing and dedication, stories about Maric and songs by the Serbian Men's Choir Kosovo.
Danielle (Danijela) Sremac, President of the Serbian Institute
with new Mileva Maric bust
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.
Models: Marija Cosic, Luka Trejgut, Gordana Savic, Sandra Zlojutro and Mia Macanovic
The Šumadja male nosnja: Among the creative aspects of the culture of the Serbian nation, traditional costumes occupy one of the most important places because of their role in everyday life, their significance for ethnic identity, and their value artistically and aesthetically. This variety and richness is present in both men's and women's costumes.
Marija Cosic is presenting a traditional outfit from the region Vlasko. It is located in the south eastern part of Serbia. Originating back to the 1700s.
Gordana Savic is is presenting a traditional outfit from the central part of Serbia (Shumadija) -characterized by a colorful and rich hand-stitched embroidery. Most of the costumes have been saved from the XIX century and characterized by a great diversity in form and decoration.
Note the difference in style and color as we move to Southern parts of this country. Luka Trejgut is wearing an outfit form the same region-the west (called JELEK) is made out of wool and is enhanced by a wonderful fine hand-mad embroidery.
Sandra Zlojutro is presenting the Pcinje nošnja from the region of Kosovo. It is located on the south western side of Serbia. This nošnja originates back to the 1700s.
Mia Macanovic is wearing a traditional Sumadija children's outfit from the central part of Serbia.
A unique private collection of authentic, hand-made, traditional Serbian apparel, dating back to the 19th century was presented to the Greater Cleveland community for the first time on Saturday, October 10, 2015, at Cuyahoga Community College-Western campus. The Fashion show was accompanied by music from the corresponding time-period.
Mrs. Biljana Regan, a passionate folklorist and the owner of this unique and exquisite collection in collaboration with Dr. Nada Martinovic, an adjunct professor of music at Kent State University, and an avid culturist, performer and community leader, coordinated to present this opportunity to learn about this part of Serbian culture.
A quartet consisting of Nada Martinovic, Gojko Majerle, Victor Trejgut and Marija Cosic sang traditional Serbian songs 'Gde si bilo Jare moje' and 'Cije je ono Devojce'
A trio of Gojko Majerle, Victor Trejgut and Nenad Jovanovic sang a traditional Serbian song called 'Pukni Zoro'
Nada Martinovic and Nenad Jovanovic sang a traditional Serbian song called 'Magla padnala' from Prizren, an old city from Kosovo which used to be a cultural center of old Serbia.
Marija Cosic, Gojko Majerle,Nada Martinovic and Victor Trejgut
The Serbian Community Children's Choir, under the direction of Dr. Nada Martinovic, sang the World War I era song "Tamo daleko". at the "Traditional Serbian Fashion and Music Journey.'
The Serbian folklore act Morava performed under the direction of instructor Angie Majerle at the "Traditional Serbian Fashion and Music Journey.' They danced to traditional songs called Sumadija from Sabac and Valjevo.
Nada wore a colorful gypsy dress that would be worn by the Roma (Gypsy) people.
Serbian Alphabet Song in Serbian Cultural Garden
The Serbian Community Children's Choir, under the direction of Nada Martinovic, performed at the Serbian Cultural Garden in Cleveland on One World Day 2015.
The gathered in front of the bust of Vuk Karadzic who created the Serbian alphabet and sang and danced to the Serbian alphabet song Azbuka.
Children's Musicking at Serbian Cultural Garden on One World Day
The Serbian Community Children's Choir, under the direction of Nada Martinovic, performed at the Serbian Cultural Garden in Cleveland on One World Day 2015. They began in front of the icon of St Sava and were introduced.
Serbian Button Accordion at One World Day in Cleveland
Dragan and Milan Djakovic played Serbian button accordion at the 70th annual One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. This performance was part of the annual Cleveland International Folk Festival.
Serbian Morava Dance Ensemble at One World Day in Cleveland
The Morava Dance Ensemble from St Sava Orthodox Church performed Serbian dances at the 70th annual One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Angela Majerle is the director. This performance was part of the annual Cleveland International Folk Festival.
Serbian Cultural Garden Golf Outing St. Elias Cultural Center - 8023 Memphis Avenue
July 11, 2015
The Serbian Cultural Garden in Rockefeller Park, which together with a chain of more than 30 other nationality gardens, is an international symbol of peace and cultural diversity. To pay for maintenance and new busts and features, a golf outing fundraiser is held each year.
Alex Machaskee and his son Lex Machaskee organized the day which ended with a dinner, music and raffle at St. Elias Cultural Center Hall after the day of golf.
Busts of Nikola Tesla and Vuk Karadžic dedicated in Serbian Cultural Garden
Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevic (Father Zivojin - St. Sava Church in Parma) and Hieromonk Platon (Father Platon, Monastery Marcha in Richfield)blessed the 2 new busts in the Serbian Cultural Garden at a dedication ceremony.
The Serbian Cultural Garden in Rockefeller Park, which together with a chain of more than 30 other nationality gardens, is an international symbol of peace and cultural diversity. Busts include King Peter I, Bishop Njegos, Nikola Tesla, Vuk Karadzic, Mihajlo Pupin, Stevan Mokranjac and a life-size icon of St. Sava, the Serbian patron saint.
Representatives from the Serbian community participated in the International Community Council - Worldwide Intercultural Network's (ICC-WIN) 5th annual multicultural holiday celebration at the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland Ohio. They modeled Serbian costumes at the International Fashion Show which featured traditional costumes of dozens of countries.
Nada Martinovic was one of the MC's of the Fashion Show and she chose special music from the internationally acclaimed Serbian composer Aleksandar Simic for the fashion show.
On October 7th, Clevelanders had a unique opportunity to indulge in a pure musical treat when The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO), established 91 years ago, made a visit to Severance Hall as part of the Serbian orchestra's first-ever United States tour.
Nada Martinovic and Serbian Minister of Culture and Information Ivan Tasovac
Four ladies of the Sarena Tamburitza Orchestra performed a traditional Serbian folk song at a Global Cleveland event in the Cleveland Convention Center.
Easter Eggs
Nada Martinovic, Ph.D. combined her love for music with the egg coloring tradition and came up with these beautiful eggs.
The Serbian Singing Society NJEGOS went caroling on Sunday Dec. 29th to visit the community members that are in nursing homes. They were led by music director Mr. Milan Damljanovic.
Thanks to Serbian Ambassador Mirjana Damljanovic for the photos.
Dancers and Singers from Morava Folklore Group from St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church
Dancers and singers from the Morava Folklore Group from St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Cleveland (Broadview Heights) Ohio performed authentic Serbian dances from Kosovo at International Cleveland Community Day in the Atrium of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Mike Simic, Milan and Richard Cesar talked languages at a Serbian picnic in Cleveland Ohio. They pointed out the deep connections between various languages - especially the Slavic languages. Simic pointed out that both Hungarian and Finnish have roots in the Mongolian language. They discussed the numerous different nationalities in the area around the North of Serbia including the Rusyns or Ruthenians who don't have a country.
Differences between North and South Serbia
Mike Simic and Milan talked languages at a Serbian picnic in Cleveland Ohio. They are both from the North of Serbia, what Mike calls the breadbasket, that used to be Yugoslavia. Mike said that the South has more of a Turkish influence than the North and while there are many dialect and cultural differences they understand each other.
18 nationalities and 6 main languages in North Serbia
Mike Simic and Milan talked languages at a Serbian picnic in Cleveland Ohio. They are both from the North of Serbia, what Mike calls the breadbasket, that used to be Yugoslavia. They spoke of the Austrian-Hungarian empire influence and the 18 different nationalities in the autonomous region in the north of Serbia where everything is written in 6 languages.
Dedication of bust of Serbian composer Stevan Mokranjac
Serbian Cultural Garden August 25, 2013
On August 25, 2013 the newest addition to the Serbian Garden was unveiled - a bust of prominent Serbian composer and music educator Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac.
The event featured prayers and a blessing from Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevic from Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox as well as performances from the Serbian Men's Choir 'Kosovo'.
Serbian Men's Choir 'Kosovo' at new Mokranjac bust
A golf outing and dinner complete with Serbian food, music and dancing took place on Saturday July 13, 2013. All proceeds from the event benefitted the Serbian Cultural Garden.
The band Harmonia played at the grand opening of the Ames Family Atrium in the Cleveland Museum of Art on Sunday October 28, 2012. The Cleveland Serbian community was represented with a table.
Cleveland Serbian community table
Harmonia at Cleveland Art Museum Ames Atrium opening
Mirjana Damljanovic family
On June 8, 2012, Alex Machaskee, representing the International Orthodox Christian Charities, Inc. (IOCC) told how "All are beggars before the Lord: and since God does not deny us, we should not deny others. He spoke at an event for Ambassador Andrew S. Natsios who spoke about Sudan.
Burning of the yule log outside of St Sava Cathedral on Christmas Eve
Thanks to Ambassador Mirjana Damljanovic for the photos
2010
Alex Machaskee inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Alex Machaskee was inducted into the innaugurall class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame on May 12, 2010. Award-winning journalist Dick Russ inducted Alex Machaskee.
Romanian Consul Alin Rosca accepted the award for Alex Machaskee and read a touching letter from Alex. Mr. Machaskee followed his heart and attended his grandson's final recital in Cincinnati as he had promised him instaed of the induction dinner.
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