I guess one would have to know exactly what an Italian Renaissance garden is, and take it from there.

I guess one would have to know exactly what an Italian Renaissance garden is, and take it from there.

 

for all they know, I have one in my bedroom

Go to your room! (that doesn't sound like a punishment in your case)

I guess one would have to know exactly what an Italian Renaissance garden is, and take it from there.

 

for all they know, I have one in my bedroom

 

Is that your secret garden?

OK, we're getting into the area of TMI (and I don't mean Three Mile Island)

Ten years ago the slovenians started to raise money and have done about 70,000 dollars worth of work.

 

The Slovenian garden is one of the biggest....

Work is proceeding on the Azerbaijan garden and several others are in the works.  I'm reposting this new website for the gardens, which is still in development, but is a big improvement from the old site.  My original post was deleted last month during UrbanOhio's 1-week reboot.

 

http://www.culturalgardens.org/

 

The same folks are doing the ECTP history project site and kiosks.

The Azerbaijan Garden is nearing completion, with a massive sculptural element ready to be unveiled and a new signage wall just installed.  Meanwhile, across the street, the Serbian Garden is quickly taking shape.  Two more gardens, the Native American and Liberty Veterans Memorial, will be installed on adjacent sites in the near future. 

University School boys help dedicate Azerbaijan's addition to Cleveland Cultural Gardens

 

Phillip Morris

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Phillip Morris

Plain Dealer Columnist

 

The 21 schoolboys clearly won the ambassador's heart.

 

 

To reach Phillip Morris:

 

[email protected], 216-999-5086

"I live in the area and go by the gardens almost every day, but I had never realized just how beautiful they are."

 

Now, he's hooked.

 

So is the rest of Osborne's class. They are hooked to the point that they have recently interviewed people affiliated with the gardens and hope to create an online video presentation.

 

That's exciting. More young Clevelanders need to discover the gardens. More old Clevelanders would benefit from rediscovering their majesty as well. There is no better place in the city for introspection or a lunchtime picnic.

 

I whole heartedly agree.  Another example of a jewel that many Clevelanders take for granted.  Many cities would kill to have gardens like this.

It was a great opening... many dignitaries and citizens alike.  The US students were  a nice touch!  I wandered over to the Serbian Garden afterwards and it looks like it's going to be a standout on the west side of MLK, where many of the gardens are more subdued.

It was a great opening... many dignitaries and citizens alike.  The US students were  a nice touch!  I wandered over to the Serbian Garden afterwards and it looks like it's going to be a standout on the west side of MLK, where many of the gardens are more subdued.

 

Question are the kids from US of Serbian decent?  Why was US chosen instead of a John Hay or Glenville which are closer and bring those children there would probably be more of an eye opener than for a kid at US.

My understanding was that the class had done a project this past semester on the gardens, so they were invited because of their involvement over the last several months.  Everyone was invited, though!

My understanding was that the class had done a project this past semester on the gardens, so they were invited because of their involvement over the last several months.  Everyone was invited, though!

 

"everyone" was invited or do you mean, free/open to the public?

well, I suppose sending an actual invite to everyone would be a little cost prohibitive and, well, impossible!  So, yes, it was open to the public.

Not sure if this has been posted before, but it looks like a Syrian Garden will be added to the Cultural Gardens.  From the Landmarks Commission agenda:

 

2. Syrian Cultural Garden

Rockefeller Park – 1191 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive

New garden

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/photo/070909/index.php

Cool!

^any renderings on that page, I didnt see any in the photo section.

Cool!

 

Cleveland to break ground on Croatian Cultural Garden

By Mark Gillispie, The Plain Dealer

April 01, 2010, 11:35AM

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nearly 200 years after Croatians helped the British in their fight against the French during the Napoleonic Wars, Great Britain is returning the favor, albeit on a much smaller scale.

 

Cleveland City Council's City Planning Committee on Wednesday approved an agreement to transfer a portion of the British Garden along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive for construction of a new Croatian Garden.

 

The parcel is one of the original plots in the Cultural Garden, which honors more than two dozen countries.

 

More at:

http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/index.ssf/2010/04/parcel_swap_will_create_room_f.html

Cultural gardens to say 'Welcome Armenia' on One World Day

Published: Thursday, September 16, 2010, 8:00 AM

Robert L. Smith, The Plain Dealer

 

 

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- One World Day, the signature annual event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens will introduce a new community to the landmark garden chain Sunday.

 

The Armenian ambassador to the United States, Tatoul Markarian, will help to dedicate an Armenian Cultural Garden on Martin Luther King Drive at the north end of Rockefeller Park.

 

Three years in the making, the eye-catching garden celebrates the distinct identity of the Armenian people. Its centerpiece is an alphabet block-like granite sculpture depicting the Armenian alphabet, one of the oldest alphabets in continuous use in the world.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/09/cultural_gardens_to_say_welcom.html

 

For a more "feel good" story with keeping Cleveland's heritage, two upcoming rededications/restorations for Rockefeller Park:

 

Sept 25: Rededication of Czech Garden Bozena Nemcova bronze bust: http://blog.culturalgardens.org/index.php/2010/09/czech-gardens-nemcova-bust-dedication-saturday-september-25-at-5-pm/

Oct 17: Rededication of Polish Garden Frederic Chopin bronze bust http://blog.culturalgardens.org/index.php/2010/09/new-chopin-bust-dedication-sunday-october-17th/

 

Also, there's a place on the main page where you can donate: http://www.culturalgardens.org/

Unveiling of designs for African American Cultural Garden realises a 34 year old objective

 

Stretching back 34 years ago, in a faded version of Cleveland Ohio, when George Voinovich was Mayor, four acres of land were decidedly destined for a noble dedication. After an inspired local drive, headed by the late politician Booker Tall, it was decided to cultivate at Cleveland Cultural Gardens, at Rockefeller Park, a befitting project to recognise the African American community.

 

Bickerstaff’s botanical park will become one of 27 cultural gardens at Rockefeller Park, all imbued with contemplations on various ethnicities, cultures and countries, that encompasses the diverse population of Cleveland. At its heart will rest a long, masoned walkway and platform, descending down a declining slope. Comprising of light stonework, before meeting darker hued marble, this amalgamated, impressive stair walk has a trickling water feature running down its midst, stemming from an ornate source at the feature’s peek. Forming a solemn, yet enhancing ring around the structure, are firmly rooted a circular thicket of trees, casting shadows in the sun, sheltering those who need it.

 

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=18287

Looks good

^ Video walkthrough of the design:

 

 

Looks great!

... and another ...

 

Turkish Cultural Garden preliminary design unveiled

December 17th, 2011 | Post Author: Bill Jones

 

Suat Aricanli, primary delegate of the proposed Turkish Cultural Garden, unveiled the preliminary design for the Turkish Cultural Garden at the Cultural Gardens Federation’s Holiday Dinner on December 13, 2011.  Developed in conjunction with McKnight Associates of Cleveland, a popular Garden designer, and eminent Ottoman Garden authorities in Turkey, the design incorporates many aspects of Turkish cultural history ...

 

... Designs available at http://blog.culturalgardens.org/index.php/2011/12/turkish-cultural-garden-preliminary-design-unveiled/

... and another ... Good week for the Cultural Gardens!

 

Russian Cultural Garden News

December 20th, 2011 | Post Author: Bill Jones

 

The Russian Cultural Garden is joining the international family of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.

 

Svetlana Stolyarova, Founder and Principal Broker of the Local-n-Global Realty, along with Boris Vinogradsky, MD and Sergio Lebid, EVP, Co-Founder at NanoSpire, Inc., has taken the initiative of creating the Russian Cultural Gardens, a non-profit organization, that will facilitate the project for the historical Russian Cultural Garden (RCG) located in the most beautiful part of the Rockefeller Park on the Martin Luther King Drive ...

 

... More at http://blog.culturalgardens.org/index.php/2011/12/russian-cultural-garden-news/

 

You mean there ISN'T a Russian gardens already? I'm shocked. There's Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Czech, Romanian and even Rusin, which is Carpatho-Russian. But no Russian??

 

See the garden map here.......

http://culturalgardens.org/

I wonder if they're trying to make a statement by putting the Turkish Cultural Garden right next to the Armenian Garden, or if that's just some unfortunate placement.

^^ I'm also disheartened by the lack of a Scottish garden. Not only has one not come together, but the plot that I thought had been set aside for that purpose (next to the Irish Garden) is now listed as "Future Garden Site". I'm also surprised that there hasn't been a proposal for an LGBT garden.

You mean there ISN'T a Russian gardens already? I'm shocked. There's Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Czech, Romanian and even Rusin, which is Carpatho-Russian. But no Russian??

 

I don't think there were many Russians among the main waves of immigration to Cleveland from 1880-1920 or so, except maybe some Russian Jews, who may have felt represented by the Hebrew garden.  I guess it is surprising more recent immigrants haven't pushed for it sooner though.

 

^^ I'm also disheartened by the lack of a Scottish garden.

 

Are you pushing for independence from the British garden???

I don't think there were many Russians among the main waves of immigration to Cleveland from 1880-1920 or so, except maybe some Russian Jews, who may have felt represented by the Hebrew garden.  I guess it is surprising more recent immigrants haven't pushed for it sooner though.

 

They sure made up for since 1991! I remember reading that 40,000 Russians came to Greater Cleveland in the first couple of years after the end of the Soviet Union.

 

 

Are you pushing for independence from the British garden???

 

We may see this mass of humanity along MLK Boulevard with some guy with the color of the Scottish flag painted on his face!

Point out to me where the nation of LGBT is and I will conceded the need for a garden... give me a break.

^^ I'm also disheartened by the lack of a Scottish garden. Not only has one not come together, but the plot that I thought had been set aside for that purpose (next to the Irish Garden) is now listed as "Future Garden Site". I'm also surprised that there hasn't been a proposal for an LGBT garden.

In an lgbT garden, what happens if a dandelion is really a daffodil "on the inside"?

^^ and ^^^ I'm absolutely pushing for autonomy from the British :) Particularly since the British Garden is really the Shakespeare Garden anyway ... As the very first of the gardens, it only became the British Garden after the Cultural Gardens strategy solidified in the 1930s.

 

^ Actually, I didn't speak to a need for an LGBT cultural garden, just expressed surprise that no one had advocated for one, particularly given the increasing focus that will likely play out on LGBT contributions to greater Cleveland between now and the 2014 Gay Games. But technically speaking, these are the cultural gardens and not the national gardens. I think we would be equally hard-pressed to find the nations of Hebrew, African America, the American Legion or Cancer Survivors (technically a plaza outside of the Gardens but adjacent to them). But these are all cultural groups with prominent roles in Cleveland history, and I'd say all of them, deserve a site of historic reflection, particularly given the financial support and man hours to build out and maintain their respective gardens. I don't see why the same wouldn't be true of Cleveland's LGBT community if they had the capacity to do the same.

Rusin also is not a country....Before anyone says the Hebrew Garden is for Israel.... Israel was not around when the Hebrew Garden was formed (although the people who made the garden were instrumental to the founding of Israel).  There are also many of us Jews that are Ashkenazi or Sephardic... and our families don't come from Israel.  It's Hebrew culture, not Israeli nationalism.  The LGBT community definitely has a culture, so why can't it have a cultural garden?

The difference is that the gardens to date have almost exclusively been "cultural" as they pertain to national identities.  Nations are not necessarily countries.  I've always seen the cultural gardens as a collection of gardens representing the places around the world from which people have come to Cleveland and established a home.  Aside from the American Legion, it is easy to see how an LGBT garden would stick out in a "Which of these is not like the other?" kind of way.

 

Certainly not demeaning the value, what I'm saying us just because you can't find the names of the every garden on a map, does not mean that there isn't a pretty well-established theme among the gardens that an LGBT garden would not fit, and that is the theme of celebrating the population's various geographic/national/ethnic origins. 

^ That's definitely valid. Again, my surprise is not that there isn't an LGBT Cultural Garden but that there hasn't been more of a discussion of that possibility, particularly in advance of the 2014 Gay Games. The same could be said about a Seniors Garden in advance of the 2013 Senior Games, perhaps one built around innovations in universal design principles. Just see some opportunities for synergy here (unintended pun, Synergy Foundation :)).

 

As for whether gardens support states, nations or cultures, I would concur that there's a clear focus on the "nation" concept, although the Cancer Survivors Plaza adjacent to the Cultural Gardens does provide one example of extending the concept of culture. I could similarly see other gardens outside of the official cultural gardens footprint, but nearby like the Plaza, honor cultures that are not nation-related.

Russian Cultural Garden raises funds for the Garden and previews designs

February 17th, 2012 | Post Author: Bill Jones

 

The Russian Cultural Garden organization raised funds for the Garden and previewed some of the design ideas they have received from Russian and Russian-American landscape designers at their February 15, 2012 program.  The audience was enthralled with the dramatic and extremely accomplished recital by famed Russian pianist, Alexander Ghindin, whose program of piano masterpieces by Franz Liszt was a great success.  The attendant presentation by the Cleveland School of Classic Ballet was a wonderful treat as well.  Below are photos of some of the many design ideas seen February 15.

 

http://blog.culturalgardens.org/index.php/2012/02/russian-cultural-garden-raises-funds-for-the-garden-and-previews-designs/

italian cultural garden to celebrate installation of new dante statue in june

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

 

After three years of fundraising -- and a generous last-minute gift from an anonymous donor -- a bronze statue of Dante Alighieri is now being crafted at Studio Foundry in Cleveland. It will be installed in the Italian Cultural Gardens in Rockefeller Park in June.

 

"I view this as a Cleveland project," says Joyce Mariani, Executive Director of the Italian Cultural Gardens Foundation, who championed the project after discovering unfinished plans for the Italian Garden that included the Dante sculpture. "It brings back an urban space, and reflects the greatness of what Italy has given the world. We're all beneficiaries of what the Italians have done."

 

The statue, which costs $135,000, was designed by Italian sculptor Sandro Bonaiuto, who was originally born in Cleveland. It presents Dante in his 30s, around the time he wrote the Divine Comedy, and was created with the aid of three-dimensional models pioneered by Italy's National Committee for Cultural Heritage.

 

http://freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/italianculturalgardens041212.aspx

Italian Cultural Garden Foundation in midst of $1.2 million restoration/rehabilitation of the Italian Cultural Garden on East Blvd.

Completed: 465,000 as of August 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty substantial. And I take it that it will have a fountain considering it's tapped into the nearby water line.

The fountain is supposed to go all the way down the hill!

The African-American Cultural Gardens are really coming together, they are going to be a nice addition to the Cultural Gardens as a whole.

 

Now if only the Brits can do something with their Cultural Garden area. It is IMO the most deteriorated of all the gardens, and in need of a major overhaul/upgrade.

Here's a video of the full plan for the AA garden.  So far it looks like work has concentrated on the "Past Pavilion" at the top of the hill.  As jjames mentioned the water feature goes down the hill through the "present" pavilion and to the "future pavilion at the bottom of the hill close to MLK Drive.  The video also shows the lighting scheme for the garden, which is also substantial and dramatic. 

 

 

 

I'm not very familiar with this, who funds these? Since they are cultural gardens do individual groups, mainly from that culture fund these projects or is the city behind this? Also is the city responsible for the maintenance such as, landscaping and light replacement?

I'm not very familiar with this, who funds these? Since they are cultural gardens do individual groups, mainly from that culture fund these projects or is the city behind this? Also is the city responsible for the maintenance such as, landscaping and light replacement?

 

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation has a web site with lots of info. Here it is, http://www.clevelandculturalgardens.org

That's beautiful. I wasn't expecting it to be so big. Not such much a fan of the jumping fountain in the video though.

I have heard that the City will be replacing the light posts throughout rockefeller park (currently regular wood poles with cobra-head lights) with more historically appropriate lamps and posts. Has anyone else heard anything about this? is it happening?

I have heard that the City will be replacing the light posts throughout rockefeller park (currently regular wood poles with cobra-head lights) with more historically appropriate lamps and posts. Has anyone else heard anything about this? is it happening?

 

That would be amazing.  We had been advocating for that for years (A certain organization even offered the city finds to do such a thing a few years ago, but they were not interested).  I will keep my fingers crossed that this is true and that they fix all the other lighting (bridges and such).  Then work on replanting the many trees that have been lost over the years.  The tree canopy has become amazingly barren through the park.