FROM Ks. JERZY KUSY

     Dedication of the Pope John Paul II monument

 The Cleveland Cultural Gardens is a unique collection of 40  public nationality gardens situated in the Rockefeller Park, along Martin Luther King and East Boulevards. Each one, with a high flying flag, reflects the nation’s character. The Polish Garden was dedicated in 1934 and is one of the park’s oldest. Up until recently, our Garden displayed six sculptures on pedestals; the busts of prominent Polish individuals in the fields of science, literature and music: Mikolaj Kopernik, Maria Curie-Skladowska, Adam Mickiewicz, Henryk Sienkiewicz, Frederyk Chopin and Ignacy Padarewski. On May 18, 2019, a sculpture of our Pope, John Paul II joined the gallery through the efforts of the Polish American Cultural Center [ it’s hard to overestimate the involvement of Eugene Bak], and assistance of the Cleveland area Polonia, including the Polish churches and organizations as well as the cooperation of Cleveland’s City Hall. This monument to the Pope, our fellow countryman, was created by the recognized sculptor Andrzej  Pitinski and its dedication on May 18, arranged to coincide with the 99th anniversary of our Pontiff’s birthday.

      The dedication ceremony began with Eugene Bak, acting director of the Center, greeting the gathered guests consisting of Polonia members, representatives from the city and other Cultural Gardens [Slovakia, Ukraine and Serbia] who laid wreaths. Gary Kotlarsic, Center’s vice-president, followed with a history of the Gardens. Next, Connie Adams, one of the Center’s directors as well as the Gardens’ vice-president, addressed the gathering, then was followed by Dr. Wael Khoury of Syrian origins, who works for the Cleveland Clinic. The Doctor emphasized the importance of the Gardens to the region’s multinational residents. President of Cleveland’s City Council, Kevin Kelly and the Slavic Village representative Tony Brancatelli added positive comments regarding the location and the occasion for the gathering.

      The artist/sculptor Andrzej Pitynski, accompanied by his wife and a son, was the guest of honor. In his remarks he acknowledged the important role the monuments of the great Poles in different parts of the world play in promoting Polish culture, history and pride, the newly installed John Paul II being an example. The artist elaborated on the meaning of the symbols found on this commissioned by us monument.

       I wish to point out that we would like to continue collaboration with him, in planning for another project on the grounds of the Polish Historical Garden adjacent to the Polish American Cultural Center. In that garden are displayed 17 panels, which in chronological order describe the most important events in the Polish history. The plans are for a sculpture of a Polish and an American eagles concluding their flight on a rocky outcropping, to be placed there.

       It is worth to note that the performing arts part of the program was handled by the ladies.

Dorota Sobieska, with children Wanda and Julian, sang national anthems and Polish songs.

Agnieszka Kotlarsic and the group Piast performed beautiful Polish dances and recited Pope’s favorite poems. At the programs end, all present were invited to the Center for a reception.

 Spreading the joy of this beautiful ceremony, I encourage the readers to visit our Polish Cultural Center as well as the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.