President Nataša Pirc Musar visits Cleveland, the centre of the Slovenian community in the U.S.A.

Today, the fourth and fifth generations of Slovenian immigrants live in Cleveland. Many no longer speak Slovenian, but still feel a strong connection to the homeland of their ancestors. They preserve this connection by nurturing cultural traditions, producing radio shows and newsletters, and running their own recreational centres, retirement homes, choirs and folklore groups.

The President began her visit at the Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland, where she met with Consul General Suzana Češarek and consulate staff and was briefed on their work.

She then visited both Slovenian parishes in Cleveland, St. Vitus Church and Church of St. Mary of the Assumption, where regular weekly Slovenian masses are held. She learned about the activities they organise throughout the year and about the Slovenian language classes offered by Slovenian schools in both parishes.

In the evening, the President attended a reception hosted by Consul General Suzana Češarek in honour of her visit. During her meeting with the Slovenian community, the President expressed her deep gratitude for their efforts to preserve the memory and ties with their ancestral homeland. She emphasised that the Slovenian community in Ohio has been a valuable bridge between Slovenia and the United States for decades. In her address, she highlighted the key role of the community not only in preserving Slovenian heritage, culture and language, but also in strengthening the excellent relations between the two countries in the fields of economy, education, science and culture. She highlighted the courage and awareness of the roots of Slovenian ancestors, who preserved the Slovenian language and culture despite challenging circumstances.

On this occasion, she presented the Slovenian community in Ohio with an award from the President of the Republic of Slovenia for their long-standing work in preserving Slovenian cultural heritage, language, national identity and values in the United States, for their support to their homeland during its gaining of independence, and for their exceptional contribution to strengthening friendly relations and cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and the United States of America.

In her address, the President stressed that Slovenians abroad are ambassadors and bearers of Slovenian culture, language and values, and encouraged them to stay connected and keep Slovenia close to their hearts. She concluded her speech with verses by the poet Tone Pavček: "Beautiful is our world, our small world. We have been here for a thousand years. And here, in the very heart, let Slovenia live."

The President continued her visit with a tour of the Slovenian National Home on St. Clair Avenue, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and is considered the largest Slovenian national home in the United States. The Slovenian National Home is a cultural and social hub for the Slovenian community and also houses the Slovenian Museum and Archives, the Slovenian Reading Room and other Slovenian institutions.

In the Cleveland area, the President also visited the Slovenian recreational centre Slovenska Pristava, which regularly hosts picnics and social, cultural, religious and sporting events, making it probably the most vibrant part of the Slovenian community in the United States.