John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer
Cleveland, Ohio – With such a mild winter, the Kurents’ job shouldn’t be tough this year.
After all, there isn’t much to scare away. But there still is plenty of Slovenian-accented fun to be had.
In the last eight years, the Kurentovanje Slovenian winter festival in the St. Clair Superior area has become one of the season’s biggest annual events. This year’s festival began Monday and runs through Saturday, the main event. Friday night is the annual Kurent Jump, which launches the Saturday parade and festivities. Events earlier in the week include making a bee-themed float for the parade, learning Slovenian crafts and a Slovenian dinner (see below).
David Dermer,Special to the Plain Dealer
“The parade and festival will be bigger than ever this year,” says Nicole Kusold-Matheou, one of the festival’s founders. “We have more groups than ever in the parade, and people coming in from around the country: Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh and many other places.”
“And it’s our longest celebration yet, We have seven full days of programming.”
What began as a one-day grass-roots parade that attracted about 2,000 people has grown to week of activities that culminate in a “winter’s-end” parade featuring towering “Kurent” monsters marching down Superior Avenue. Last year’s parade brought an estimated 7,000 Clevelanders ready to scare away winter.
Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
Kurentovanje, a Slovenian Mardi Gras held in the time leading up to Lent, has long roots in the Old World, with many villages celebrating the several weeks prior to Ash Wednesday. The ancient city of Ptuj, where many Clevelanders have roots, is ground zero for Kurentovanje.
The tradition, and scary monsters, mad its way to Cleveland in 2013, bringing new attention an old custom -- and a historic, overlooked area of town.
Kusold-Matheou says the growth of this unique festival, only held in Slovenia and Cleveland, is a grass roots success.
Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
“People come and tell their friends and family who come the next year. Plus we have been able to get the word out via social media and Slovenian newspapers.”
In addition to adding even more days of programming, this year’s festival in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood, the historic home to Cleveland’s Slovenian community, has some other new elements:
David Dermer, Special to the Plain Dealer
“We have our own Kurentovanje beers this year,” says Kusold-Matheou.
Collision Bend Brewing Company has created a “Pivo Kurent” made using Styrian hops and malted barley from Slovenia. Noble Beast Brewing Co. has brewed a “Styrian Wolf Slovenian IPA” made with Slovenian Hops called “Styrian Wolf” and “Styrian Dragon.”
David Dermer, Special to the Plain Dealer
Both beers will be served at Kurent Jump and the festival at the Slovenian National Home, 6417 St. Clair Avenue, Friday and Saturday.
The Kurent Jump will be different this year, too. After several years of moving around to various area venues, it will move to a new permanent home outside the Slovenian National Home.
John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer
“We wanted to do something a little bit closer to how it traditionally runs,” says Kusold-Matheu, who attended a Kurent Jump in Slovenia a few years ago. “It’s held outside, usually on somebody’s farm and there’s a big bonfire and a huge pot of stew and people bring instruments and have a party.”
The Cleveland version will be held behind the home on the grounds of the historic Diemer mansion, which the organization owns. Beer, music and meat and vegan stews will be served as the Kurent dance around the bonfire. Advance tickets, $15, are a must and were still available at press time. See https://cleveland-kurentovanje.ticketleap.com/kurent-jump/
Anne Nickoloff, Cleveland.com
This is just the kick off to the main party though. The eighth annual Kurentovanje festival, held in and around the National Home, begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. It will include a full day of activities, music and food and parade.
The parade steps off at noon, departing from Saint Martin de Porres High School gym (East 62nd and Lausche Avenue), proceeding down St. Clair Avenue, and ultimately ending at the Slovenian National Home. The procession will include Kurents, polka and marching bands, dance troupes, and other community groups.
The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the hall, with ethnic food and drinks, face-painting and crafts for kids, ice carving demonstrations, and multiple stages of musical acts and cultural performances. Local craftspeople will be selling homemade edibles and handmade goods. There will also be a bocce tournament. Full schedule: https://www.clevelandkurentovanje.com/
Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
For the first time in Cleveland, Kurentovanje will conclude with a burial.
“This is how the festival is closed in Slovenia,” says Kusold-Matheu. “The Kurents come to chase away winter and make way for spring. It concludes with them being buried and going away now that their mission is completed.”
Until next year …
Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
Schedule
Slovenian Cultural Fair, Tuesday, Feb.18, Slovenian National Home: Free cultural fair including a Language Survival Crash Course and the introduction of two specially brewed Kurentovanje beers by local brewers Collision Bend and Noble Beast. 6 – 9 p.m. RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/2571338359777258/
Strudel Making Class, Wednesday, Feb. 19, Slovenian National Home: Learn how to make strudel - one of the most quintessential Slovenian pastries - led by instructor Ellie Omahan Rickard, owner of My Mother's Bakery in Chardon. The 6 – 8 p.m. class will be formatted as a demonstration, with Q&A, and coffee and a piece of strudel for all participants to enjoy. SOLD OUT.
Slovenian String Art, Thursday, Feb. 20, Slovenian National Home: Celebrate a tradition of Slovenian craft-making by creating a fun Kurentovanje-inspired "String Art" piece, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Instructor Taylor Miller of CLE String Art will lead participants at this all ages event in creating either a Kurent Mask, Slovenian Flag or SLO oval string art piece. Light refreshments. This event has limited capacity. Tickets, still available, $35: https://www.facebook.com/events/469570763996903/
Kurent Jump, Friday, Feb. 21, tents outside Slovenian National Home: The annual kick-off gets even more Slovenian this year, returning to the home after several venues around the neighborhood. From 5:30 to 10 p.m., the party will take place in heated tents outside the center, with hearty Slovenian stews and beers – and lots of scary, fuzzy Kurents around the fire. 21-and-over only. The Chardon Polka Band will perform. Tickets, $15, still available at press time: https://www.facebook.com/events/530053490877392/
2nd Annual Kurent 5K, Saturday, Feb. 22: Sponsored by Hansa Brewery, begins at 8:30 a.m. outside the National Home. Register in advance: https://www.hermescleveland.com/roadracing/events/kurentdash.asp
Cleveland Kurentovanje 2020, Saturday, Feb. 22, Slovenian National Home: The festival begins at 10 p.m. with a full day of activities, music and food and parade. See above for details.
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