The 80,000-strong Slovenian community in Cleveland, Ohio, the largest in any city outside of Slovenia, will begin its month-long celebrations marking 15 years of Slovenian statehood on Monday.
"Slovenian Days" will be prepared by the Slovenian community and Slovenian Consul General Zvone Zigon with the help of Mayor of Cleveland Frank G. Jackson.
Zigon is heralded as the key person for uniting the previously divided groups of local Slovenians, a fact also attributed to his touring the US with one of Slovenia's top choirs, Ave, prior to assuming the post.
The festivities will kick off on Monday when Jackson joins Cleveland's inhabitants of Slovenian descent and Slovenian diplomats and is expected to name 25 June the day of Slovenian statehood in the city.
The city council is also expected to stage a ceremony, to be attended by Slovenian Ambassador to the US Samuel Zbogar, Zigon and municipal councillors of Slovenian descent Mike Polensek and Joe Cimperman.
The ceremony will include a joint performance by the "Korotan" and "Fantje na vasi" Slovenian singing societies, while an exhibition of Slovenian art and culture will open at the City Hall.
The highlight will come on 25 June, Slovenia's National Day, with a special Mass, celebrated by Cleveland's retired Bishop Edward Pevec, and a cultural programme.
The festivities also include a Slovenian night at Cleveland's Polka Hall of Fame, while a festival of Slovenian films will take place later in June. A Slovenian flag is also expected to be raised on 23 June in front of the state's Congress in Ohio's capital of Columbus.
Prior to the launch of the celebrations Mayor Jackson said in a press statement that Cleveland is proud of its long history and contributions by its citizens of Slovenian descent.
The community has three Catholic parishes in the city and its surroundings, eight national homes and has since 1919 been publishing the "Ameriska domovina" (American Homeland) weekly.
Slovenians in Cleveland moreover have six singing societies, while the Slovenian polka and its Grammy-awarded proponent Frankie Yankovic hold a special place in the Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame.
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