From Cleveland to Ukraine, With Love

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens stretches two miles across a 254-acre park donated to the city of Cleveland by John D. Rockefeller. Some 35 nationalities and cultures are represented through individual plots of land. Each garden proudly displays a country’s heritage while embracing the Cultural Gardens’ mission of “peace through mutual understanding.”

Dedicated in 1940, the Ukrainian Garden boasts statues of some favorite sons and daughters: poet Larysa Petrivna Kosach-Kvirka, writer Ivan Franko, Grand Prince of Kiev Volodymyr the Great, and poet and artist Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko. Currently, the garden also features flowers and supportive words from local visitors. “Cleveland will always stand strong with Ukraine,” a simple sign reads. Nearby, bouquets of sunflowers frame the garden’s metal sign. These simple gifts express solidarity with the Ukrainian people during the recent Russian invasion.

Even the statues in the garden appear to acknowledge current suffering. The expression on the face of Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko conveys concern and preoccupation. (See above.)

The Grand Prince of Kiev seems to be requesting silent prayer. (See below.)

Words inscribed on the base of Larysa Petrivna Kosach-Kvirka’s statue are hauntingly prescient: “Songs that are free loud and clear/In my native land I want to hear.” (See her statue below.)

Visiting the Ukrainian Garden in Cleveland, two thoughts become very clear: Peace has always been difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. Nevertheless, we never stop trying.