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 Turkish Cultural Garden participated in the Parade of Flags which had 1500 people from over 53 countries.
Middle Eastern Heritage - World on Stage in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation presented a World on Stage event to showcase Middle Eastern Heritage on July 22, 2023 at the Centennial Peace Plaza in the Cultural Gardens. The plaza was full and the crowd enjoyed musical performances from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Lebanon and Syria.
Vocalist Ayla Gencer showing where the songs were from
Members of the Turkish and Syrian communities in Cleveland Ohio gathered with family, friends and supporters in the Syrian Cultural Garden on MLK Blvd. on the evening of Friday February 10, 2023. Leena Zahra from the Syrian community and Mehmet Gencer from the Turkish community spoke at a prayer vigil lit by candles.
One young lady holding a picture of her best friend who was killed in the earthquake told how her friends and family back in Syria were reporting that dozens of family members had been killed. The crowd learned of suggested places to donate funds and foods and prayed for the victims.
Mehmet Gencer is the president of the Turkish Cultural Garden. He was interviewed by Spectrum News after planting a Turkish flag in the garden on August 29, 2022 to celebrate Victory Day. Mehmet said Victory Day is one of the biggest holidays in the country. Gencer said he has relatives who served in the army and said Aug. 30 is an important day to recognize them.
"This is our, really one of the biggest holidays," Gencer said. "[Mustafa Kemal] Atatürk, the commander then, Commander Atatürk got us this freedom and then eventually [the country] became [the] Turkish republic." It took another year after that victory for Turkey to be become a nation. In 2023, the nation will mark its centennial year.
"Now you have a nation," Gencer said. "It's very secular and very free and very western-world [like]. Also, a lot of science work is going on, and that's because of [Atatürk.]" For this reason, Gencer added that he's proud to share Turkey's legacy and its history in Cleveland. "You know, we have our friends, we gather and do the things and keep our Turkish heritage at the highest level," Gencer said.
Cleveland's Turkish community was well-represented at the 76th One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens on August 28, 2022. They marched in the Parade of Flags.
Turkish Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags on One World Day
Here is a video of the entire Parade of Flags.
They then hosted music, food and cultural activities in the beautiful Turkish Cultural Garden.
Stay informed about the local Turkish community by signing up for the free Turkish eNews mailings. You can select other specific groups as well. It's easy and free. Fill out the form for the free Turkish eNews.
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2021
Turkish Cultural Garden at One World Day 2021
Cleveland's Turkish 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 Turkish Cultural Garden.
Turkish Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags on One World Day 2021
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 new Turkish Cultural Garden.
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.
Turkish Garden in Parade of Flags on One World Day
Turkish 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 Turkish community was represented by Mehmet Gencer singing a Turkish song. Click on the white arrow to watch the video.
Mehmet Gencer at Cleveland Museum of Art
One World Day 2018
The 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 Turkish Garden was well-represented in the Parade.
Fashions from Turkey at Cleveland multicultural party
Tugce Sareyyuoglu and young daughters Ceren and Defne represented Turkey. They are wearing clothing from the Turkish Hana Ceremony for the Bride before the Wedding.
(Click on the white arrow to watch the video)
Tugce Sareyyuoglu and young daughters Ceren and Defne representing Turkey
hey gathered again one year later on Sunday October 29, 2017 to plant tulip bulbs in the Turkish Garden.
Though many think of the Dutch when they discuss tulips, tulips are actually native to Turkey. Tulips are the national flower of the Republic of Turkey with a history going back to its Ottoman roots.
Cleveland American Middle East Organization 47th anniversary
The Cleveland American Middle East Organization (CAMEO) is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian political action organization established in 1970. They celebrated their 47th anniversary and induction of new officers at a dinner event at St. Elias Cultural Center.
Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and CAMEO Board
The Republic of Turkey was founded on October 29, 1923 - 93 years ago. So it was a perfect day for the Cleveland Turkish community to dedicate the new Turkish Cultural Garden.
The Turkish Cultural Garden and Turkish community participated in the 71st One World Day on August 28, 2016. They began with the Parade of Flags.
Turkish Garden in Parade of Flags
Throughout the day members of the Turkish community of Cleveland hosted hundreds of visitors in the Tproposed site of the Turkish Cultural Garden and shared Turkish culture.
The Turkish American Society of Ohio-Cleveland (TASO) hosts a monthly Turkish Coffee Night in Cleveland to meet and share cultures. The topic of the March 29 event was Turkish wedding customs.
Seyma Gurer explained some Turkish wedding customs such as the Henna Night for the future bride.
The Turkish American Society of Ohio-Cleveland (TASO) hosts a monthly Turkish Coffee Night in Cleveland to meet and share cultures. The topic of the February 28 event was Turkish food.
Seyma Gurer explained that Turkish cuisine is largely the heritage of Ottoman cuisine which can be described as a fusion of Central Asian, Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisines.
She spoke about Turkish entrees, appetizers, soup, desserts and beverages.
The Turkish American Society of Ohio-Cleveland (TASO) hosts a monthly Turkish Coffee Night in Cleveland to meet and share cultures. The topic of the February 28 event was Turkish food.
Seyma Gurer said that when dining in Turkey a small prayer (Bismillahirrahmanirrahim) is said before starting to eat and elder members start first. You should not leave any food on your plate and should use your right hand to eat. At the end of the meal people say Elhamdulillah, a short prayer of thanks.
When one serves the food they say Afiyet Olsun which is like bon appetite or enjoy your meal.
2014
Turkish Fashion at Cleveland Multicultural Event
Representatives from the Cleveland Turkish 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 Turkish costumes at the International Fashion Show which featured traditional costumes of dozens of countries.
Fashion of Turkey
Ayla Gencer also modeled a typical American outfit.
91st anniversary of the Republic of Turkey October 25, 2014
TASNO (Turkish American Society of Northeast Ohio) celebrated the 91st anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. It would be hard for anyone to think of this momentous day with thinking of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the celebration took place in front of a huge banner of the first President of the Republic of Turkey.
Cleveland City Hall Rotunda
May 28, 2014 The City of Cleveland Community Relations Board, led by Asian Liaison Chia-Min Chen, hosted an Asian Heritage Day Celebration on May 28, 2014 in the Cleveland City Hall Rotunda.
Over 60 Asian community groups and organizations participated. Chia-Min Chen called them up to the stage one at a time and each gave an elevator speech explaining their organization.
This included the Turkish American Society of Ohio and Turkish American Society of Northeastern Ohio.
Turkish American Society of Northeastern Ohio
Turkish American Society of Northeastern Ohio (TASNO) mission is to create a community for Turkish-Americans and their families living in Northeastern Ohio and to promote and assist in understanding of Turkish heritage, culture and traditions by organizing and conducting educational, cultural, social and charitable events and other activities, as permitted by the laws for nonprofit organizations/corporations.
Turkish American Society of Ohio
The Turkish American Society of Ohio Cleveland (TASO-Cleveland) is dedicated to addressing the social and cultural needs of the Turkish American community living in the greater Cleveland area. http://www.tasocleveland.org.
Learn more about each organization including photos and videos of the group leaders at the Asian Organizations in Cleveland pages.
Tragic mine collapse in western Turkey
The Turkish American Alliance is deeply distraught by the tragic mine collapse in western Turkey, which took place in the town of Soma, in the Manisa Province, on May 13, 2014. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of all of the miners who are still missing, and we continue to pray for the many injured, some critically.
We hope for their full and speedy recovery. Finally, we applaud the efforts of the rescue operation and workers for all of their dedication in searching for the missing miners, as well as for already rescuing hundreds of miners.
Together, we stand with Turkey during its three days of mourning. We also hope for a full and impartial investigation into the causes of, and the responsibility for, the collapse.
TASNO Turkish Music Choir
The TASNO (Turkish American Society of Northeastern Ohio) Turkish Music Choir performed at a Global Cleveland event in the Cleveland Convention Center. Here are some highlights.
2013
Turkish American Society performance
Young people from the Turkish American Society performed a traditional Turkish dance at the 4th annual Worldwide Intercultural Network (WIN) holiday celebration of global diversity at the Ariel International Center in Cleveland Ohio. WIN board member Nada Martinovic introduced the group.
Turkish American Society dancers and Mayor Frank Jackson
The Turkish community will soon have a garden on the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Representatives marched in the Parade of Flags at the annual One World Day on August 25, 2013.
2012
Turkish Community at Opening of Ames Family Atrium Cleveland Museum of Art October 28, 2012
The Cleveland Turkish community was represented at the grand opening of the Ames Family Atrium in the Cleveland Museum of Art on Sunday October 28, 2012.
Preview of the Turkish Cultural Garden - December 13, 2011
Cleveland Turkish Cultural Garden plans
Cleveland Council on World Affairs Rich Crepage and Turkish American Society of Northeast Ohio's Suat Aricanli at Cleveland Cultural Garden meeting
Engin Ates, Vice-President of TASNO (Turkish American Society of Northeast Ohio) demonstrates the Cura, a small version of the Turkish Baglama, the most common string folk instrument in Turkey at the TASNO picnic June 13, 2010.
2009
Turkish American Society of Northeast Ohio (TASNO) President Derya Ferendeci and Mehmet Gencer help celebrate The Republic of Turkey's 86 Years of Independence
a. To create a community for Turkish-Americans and their families living in Northeastern Ohio.
b. To promote and assist in understanding of Turkish heritage, culture and traditions by organizing and conducting educational, cultural, social and charitable events and other activities, as permitted by the laws for nonprofit organizations/corporations.
c. To act as a liaison between the Turkish-American community and other organizations, offices or communities in accordance with the above-mentioned purposes.
d. To organize and operate for charitable, cultural, educational and scientific purposes as a nonprofit organization under the United States Code of Federal Regulations.
e. To raise funds for nonprofit activities or entities, consistent with the United States Code of Federal Regulations.
Tell us about the music, food, holidays, traditions, costumes, language and other qualities that make Turks so special.
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) is one of the most famous architectural legacies of the Ottoman Empire
Turkey
Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa Kemal, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging social, legal, and political reforms.
After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democratic Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and intermittent military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of political power to civilians.
In 1997, the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which only Turkey recognizes.
A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - now known as the People's Congress of Kurdistan or Kongra-Gel (KGK) - has dominated the Turkish military's attention and claimed more than 30,000 lives.
After the capture of the group's leader in 1999, the insurgents largely withdrew from Turkey mainly to northern Iraq. In 2004, KGK announced an end to its ceasefire and attacks attributed to the KGK increased. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO.
In 1964, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community. Over the past decade, it has undertaken many reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy; it began accession membership talks with the European Union in 2005.
Read more about the Turkish and other Ambassadors. If you are interested in being considered to be an official ClevelandPeople.com Ambassador to the Cleveland Turkish community, please contact us.
