Drumroll, please!
The Cleveland Kurentovanje Royal Court
The Royal Court of the Cleveland Kurentovanje festival is an honor to be bestowed upon individuals who espouse a love of Cleveland and Slovenian culture, have a fun and confident personality, and possess the willingness to be a caring and committed ambassador of the Cleveland Kurentovanje spirit. Congratulations to the 2024 Cleveland Kurentovanje Royal Court!
Cleveland Kurentovanje Queen - Ann Gabrosek
Ann Gabrosek, aged 95, was nominated by her family and selected as this year’s Cleveland Kurentovanje Queen. Queen Ann’s husband Joe of 60 years was 100% Slovenian and when they got married Ann wholeheartedly adopted the Slovenian lifestyle. Ann was very actively involved in the Slovene Home in Barberton, Ohio before she moved to Cleveland. She also routinely attended polka jams, the Polka Hall of Fame awards, and functions at the Slovene National Home throughout her adult life. She was active in the Prince of Peace parish which regularly held polka masses.
To this day, Ann is still an active participant in the Slovenian-American community. She promotes polka music and Slovenian heritage whenever possible, even bringing accordion players to her retirement home for the other residents to experience the happiness of the polka. She also catches the Chardon Polka Band whenever she can!
Ann has traveled to Slovenia and she loves the food and wine. In nominating her for Queen, her family wrote "Our Mom has kept our Dad’s spirit alive by cherishing and celebrating the Slovenian heritage.” Let's all celebrate Queen Ann and her passion for Slovenian culture and her love of her community!
Cleveland Kurentovanje Princess - Natasha Paros-gaser
Please join us in congratulating the Princess of the 2024 Cleveland Kurentovanje festival, Natasha Paros-Gaser! Natasha has been described by those who nominated her as compassionate, caring, kind, and one of the sweetest people they know. So it makes sense that she graduated last year from Cleveland State University with a degree in nursing. Natasha works as a registered nurse and has received several Daisy pins & the outstanding Daisy award for nursing. Her patients say that she goes "above & beyond" in her care for them.
Natasha has been a life-long proud advocate of her Slovenian heritage. She has danced in the Slovenian folk group, Folklorna Skupina Kres, and even served as their president. She studied in Ljubljana during a summer program and continues to support the Slovenian-American community at functions such as Kurentovanje and Pristava picnics. Her friends even attest that her most listened to songs on Spotify are Slovenian!
Natasha’s friends and family say she is “as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.” And that she “always has an ear to listen and constantly demonstrates personal growth in herself. She is an awesome example of someone who has persevered through challenges and demonstrates positive attitude to those around her.” They go on to say “she is always educating me of the beauty of the Slovenian way.”
As a festival, Cleveland Kurentovanje seeks to sow seeds of kindness and foster connection between members of the community-at-large and we are honored to highlight someone who personifies this ideal. Congratulations, Natasha Paros-Gaser - 2024 Cleveland Kurentovanje Princess!
Cleveland Kurentovanje Prince - CAMERON KNOTEK-BLACK
Please join us in congratulating the Prince of the 2024 Cleveland Kurentovanje festival, Cameron Knotek-Black! Cameron is majoring in Film Production at Cleveland State University with an emphasis on writing and directing, and has been described by those who nominated him as “a great ambassador to spread the good cheer of the Kurentovanje festival spirit.”
Cameron and his family have a long history with the Kurentovanje festival and he is proud of his Slovenian roots. He is further described by his nominators as “confident, smart, an exceptional student, and all around upstanding person.” All ideals held by the festival as well!
Congratulations, Cameron Knotek-Black - 2024 Cleveland Kurentovanje Prince!
Past Members of the Royal Court
2023 - Prince Blaz Vavpetic, Princess Justina Lampic, Queen Eva Ozbolt Kisley
2022 - Prince Michael Tromba, Princess Zoe Gregory
2020 - Prince Paul Sedmak, Princess Maya Stupica
2019 - Prince Patrick Shick, Princess Sophia Tromba