Statehood Day, 2025

30. 6. 2025

Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland

It was a Slovenian holiday in a Slovenian place! The Consulate General of Slovenia in Cleveland hosted its annual celebration of Slovenian Statehood Day, this year on June 17, at Cleveland's historic Slovenian National Home on St. Clair Avenue. This was a departure from previous years, when Statehood Day was celebrated in Cleveland City Hall. The celebration was moved in acknowledgement of the centennial anniversary of the Slovenian National Home, a focal point of the Cleveland Slovenian experience since its inception. It is also worth noting that we felt it time to move our holiday back to a place of special meaning for our community.

Our evening began with a brief program hosted by the Consul General. Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon honored us with a video greeting wherein she expressed her gratitude to the Slovenian-American community for its support and commitment to keeping Slovenian culture alive and thriving. Local Slovenian-American quartet, Clari-ton, performed the anthems of both Slovenia and the United States, as well as two additional musical selections that set a joyful tone for the celebration. The Consulate General, along with the entire Slovenian community, received well wishes and congratulatory remarks from some special guests: Tobias Engel represented the State of Ohio and Governor DeWine, and was joined by local representatives, County Executive Chris Ronayne and Cleveland Councilman (and proud Slovenian) Mike Polensek.

All in attendance were treated to a sneak peak of an upcoming exhibition on Lippizaner Horses that will be displayed at Cleveland's Slovenian Museum and Archives in September. Director Greg Nosan unveiled two of the exhibition's amazing photos. Guests viewed a brief video greeting prepared specially for them by the exhibition's creator, artist and photographer, Alenka Slavinec. After the program, there was mingling and camaraderie, along with food and wines. Several representatives of Slovenians in other US states within the Consular jurisdiction made the trip to Cleveland and were warmly received at the celebration.

Officially observed on June 25, Statehood Day honors the historic moment in 1991 when Slovenia declared independence by adopting the Declaration of Independence and the Basic Constitutional Charter on the Sovereignty and Independence of the Republic of Slovenia. Not only is it a national holiday, but a day of pride in our nation, its culture, history and progress. Each year, the Consulate General in Cleveland happily joins Slovenians all over the world in marking this wonderful occasion.