FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

12th Annual Cleveland Kurentovanje:
A Vibrant Arts & Culture Festival Celebrating Slovenian Mardi Gras & Heritage

Cleveland, OH—Cleveland Kurentovanje (koo-rehn-toh-VAHN-yeh) a Slovenian-infused Mardi Gras carnival kicks off on Saturday, February 3, 2024 unfurling over eight days of diverse virtual and in-person arts and cultural events in Cleveland, Ohio, the city home to the highest population of Slovenians living outside of Slovenia.

The festivities reach a crescendo on Saturday, February 10th, culminating in a grand parade and festival. This finale boasts live music across three stages, authentic culinary delights, beverages, and an expansive "Children’s Village" within the Slovenian National Home's lower level, offering free crafts and engaging activities for our youngest festival-goers.

The festival celebration revolves around the iconic Kurenti – ancient, mythological creatures believed to banish winter and herald the arrival of spring with their mystical powers.

Events surrounding this year’s festival include:

“We’re so excited to share this unique winter festival experience. Every year we build upon the festival and we’ve continued to expand it year over year. Festival goers this year can look forward to an even larger festival footprint and the festival's programming is meticulously designed to cater to individuals of all ages and varied interests, ensuring there's something captivating for everyone to enjoy,” says organizer Lauren Calevich.

“We're thrilled for attendees of all ages, backgrounds, and interests to immerse themselves in an arts and cultural celebration uniquely infused with Slovenian flair,” shares organizer Caitlin Peterson.

“There's a myriad of ways for the public to actively participate in the festival. They can join us in person at events or virtually, enlist to march in the parade, register to run or walk in the 5K, contribute as volunteers to bolster this grassroots, volunteer-driven celebration, or extend support through donations or sponsorships,” says Peterson.

“Our enduring mission is to give life to programming that delves into Slovenian culture and highlights the vibrant tapestry of the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood. Thanks to the unwavering support of volunteers, partners, and sponsors, this year’s events passionately advance this goal, as we promote the exploration of our cultural heritage and community landscape,” notes organizer Nicole Kusold-Matheou.

Detailed event information, tickets, and more can be found at https://www.clevelandkurentovanje.com/.

All free virtual engagements will be available on Cleveland Kurentovanje’s Facebook page (@ClevelandKurentovanje), YouTube Channel, and website (https://www.clevelandkurentovanje.com/). 

About Cleveland Kurentovanje

The mission of Cleveland Kurentovanje is to promote and celebrate Slovenian culture by offering a fun and lively festival which draws energy from all of its related events to contribute to the St. Clair-Superior Neighborhood, all while engaging local, national and global audiences.

Cleveland Kurentovanje is organized entirely by a volunteer committee and is supported by in-kind donations and sponsorships from businesses and organizations. Donations of all kinds are accepted through the Slovenian Museum and Archives.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO CLEKURENTOVANJE@GMAIL.COM

High resolution press photos available upon request.