Celebrating Slovenian Culture with Jazz, Poetry, and Art in Cleveland
On February 8, 2024, the Slovenian National House and Diemer Maison in Washington D.C. came alive with the vibrant sounds of jazz, poignant poetry, and captivating visual art as part of a Slovenian cultural evening. The event, organized to commemorate Slovenia’s Cultural Day, was a resounding celebration of the rich heritage and artistic achievements of the Slovenian community.
The evening commenced with a warm welcome by moderators Dr. Luka Zibelnik, who spoke in Slovenian, and Joe Valencic, who addressed the audience in English. The event began with the anthems of the Republic of Slovenia and the United States, set against a video projection featuring the Megaron Choir from Slovenia.
Highlighting the importance of the Cultural Day for Slovenia and its people, the moderators set the tone for an evening that would bridge traditional Slovenian culture with contemporary expressions. Consul General Alenka Jerak delivered a heartfelt address, emphasizing the significance of preserving Slovenian cultural identity abroad.
A special segment of the program was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Slovenian poet Ivan Minatti, presented by Dr. Luka Zibelnik. This was followed by a video projection titled "100 Faces of France Prešeren," compiled by Ivan Mori, with readings by esteemed Slovenian actors Pavle Ravnohrib, Stane Sever, and Uroš Smolej.
The cultural program featured a diverse lineup of performers, beginning with a mesmerizing performance by the Jazz Trio Leo Coach. The literary segment included readings by the writer and poet Dr. Suzanne Ondrus, who shared selections from her book "Passion Seeds," and by TV presenter and journalist Mojca Mavec, who read works by Slovenian poets. The evening also featured writer and poet Raymond McNiece, who performed his works, including "Grandfather’s Breath," accompanied by Leo Coach on piano.
Guests were then invited to explore the private art collection of Gregor Perushek at Diemer Maison, guided by Dr. Gregory Nosan. This intimate viewing provided attendees with a deeper appreciation of Slovenian visual art.
The night concluded with more live jazz music from the Jazz Trio Leo Coach, joined by jazz singer Nancy Redd, as attendees enjoyed a reception featuring Slovenian wine and a selection of culinary delights. The event successfully showcased the dynamic cultural tapestry of Slovenia, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
8. februarja 2024 sta Slovenski narodni dom in Diemer Maison v Clevelandu zaživela z živahnimi zvoki jazza, čustveno poezijo in očarljivo vizualno umetnostjo v okviru slovenskega kulturnega večera. Dogodek, organiziran ob slovenskem kulturnem prazniku, je bil veličastno praznovanje bogate dediščine in umetniških dosežkov slovenske skupnosti.
Večer se je začel s toplim pozdravom moderatorjev dr. Luke Zibelnik, ki je spregovoril v slovenščini, in Joeja Valencica, ki je občinstvo nagovoril v angleščini. Dogodek se je začel z himnama Republike Slovenije in Združenih držav Amerike, ob video projekciji, ki je predstavila Megaron zbor iz Slovenije.
Moderatorja sta poudarila pomen kulturnega praznika za Slovenijo in njene ljudi ter s tem nastavila ton za večer, ki je združil tradicionalno slovensko kulturo s sodobnimi izrazi. Generalna konzulka Alenka Jerak je v svojem nagovoru poudarila pomen ohranjanja slovenske kulturne identitete v tujini.
Poseben del programa je bil posvečen 100. obletnici rojstva slovenskega pesnika Ivana Minattija, ki ga je predstavil dr. Luka Zibelnik. Sledila je video projekcija z naslovom "100 obrazov Franceta Prešerna," ki jo je pripravil Ivan Mori, ob branju uglednih slovenskih igralcev Pavla Ravnohriba, Stane Severja in Uroša Smoleja.
Kulturni program je ponudil pestro izbiro nastopajočih, med katerimi je bil tudi Jazz Trio Leo Coach, ki je očaral občinstvo s svojo izvedbo. Literarni del večera je vključeval branja pisateljice in pesnice dr. Suzanne Ondrus, ki je delila odlomke iz svoje knjige "Semena strasti," ter TV voditeljice in novinarke Mojce Mavec, ki je prebirala dela slovenskih pesnikov. Na večeru je nastopil tudi pisatelj in pesnik Raymond McNiece, ki je ob spremljavi Lea Coacha na klavirju predstavil svoja dela, vključno s pesmijo "Dedkov dih."
Gostje so bili nato povabljeni k ogledu zasebne umetniške zbirke Gregorja Peruška v Diemer Maison, pod vodstvom dr. Gregoryja Nosana. Ta intimni ogled je obiskovalcem omogočil globlje razumevanje slovenske vizualne umetnosti.
Noč se je zaključila z nadaljnjimi jazzovskimi nastopi Jazz Tria Leo Coach, ki se jim je pridružila jazz pevka Nancy Redd, medtem ko so obiskovalci uživali v sprejemu s slovenskim vinom in kulinaričnimi dobrotami. Dogodek je uspešno predstavil dinamično kulturno tapiserijo Slovenije in pustil trajen vtis na vse prisotne.
