To Reunion
Reunion is the greatest power and attribute of love. The great Jesuit Pierre Tielhard de Chardin once said, “Everything in the universe everything is programmed and destined to come back to one.”
We have seen this challenged and affirmed in extreme measures these past weeks. The cries of children separated from their families on the border is enough to make even the hardest-hearted feel agony. Knowing that this is a person-made policy is even more confounding. These families seek reunion, and we must be mindful and fight for this raw and human pull. To disrupt this force is to hurt the family but also our nation and ourselves. These families coming over the border are not terrorists, they come in search for a better and safer life, similar to the millions who came over the centuries before us. An interesting occurrence happens again and again in the immigrant life in America. While people are coming here to survive, they end up making a life in which they will ultimately succeed and thrive. Where they work, build and cultivate community, they create a richness and fulfillment in their lives and the people around them. Mayor Jackson always says, “Always bet on the people society discards. In fact, you should double down. These people, these families never disappoint and they always give back twice what was given to them.”
These are people and families and workers who, in addition to reminding us of what our democratic foundation is intended to be, are helping to fill our ever-widening talent gap.
If we cannot open our hearts, can we be so isolationist and committed to our sure destruction to say no to people who make our economy grow? The people I know who work and fight in this space are all first drawn to the human stories, but then many of us continue to understand our national economic and security well-being that absolutely depends on how we invite the international newcomer into our community.
People often tell me, “what an interesting time to work in immigration.” They are not wrong, but the overwhelming conversation on immigrants, refugees, tariffs, talent gaps, solutions for American cities that are dropping in population all include embracing, supporting, welcoming people who were not born here. So, we cannot stop. In spite of the daily increasing height of the hurdle, making it more challenging for an international entrepreneur to call the US home, lessening the number of refugees we welcome to our communities by a 75% plus drop, not constructively and proactively dealing with legislation that could make our DACA/Dreamers nation builders permanent and safe. The harder and higher the hill, Global Cleveland will work that much more to keep doing the good work we do.
We work with advanced manufacturing companies like Buckeye Business Products, who took a chance and hired people who came to the Land as refugees. We work with schools like CWRU and their ever-growing international student community, thanks to David Fleshler and his dedicated team. We work with Nate Ward at CSU’s Global Business Center who speaks honestly about the power of international hiring and personnel investment. Our Cleveland and greater Cleveland communities are rewriting the narrative about how our economy can thrive by opening doors, welcoming immigrants and acknowledging the power behind our ancestral immigrants.
On September 8th, Global Cleveland will host the second annual InterCle to properly welcome and embrace the International Students in Cleveland. Last year we hoped for two-hundred students in our inaugural year and welcomed over five-hundred. Stay tuned for more details. On July 19th, Friends of Global Cleveland will be hosting its annual summer celebration at the Ukrainian Museum Archives. It’s a great celebration of all our international powerhouses in the Cleveland area and all are welcome to this event. We are also in the midst of planning an extraordinary, soon-to-be-announced, International City Connection Program where we will utilize the desire of our City and County to connect with economic development around the globe.
We won’t stop because Governor Kasich recently established the State of Ohio’s first Office of Opportunities for New Americans that understands the power of immigrant entrepreneurship. We won’t stop because the U.S. Citizen Naturalization ceremonies are showing a 20% increase in the number of people becoming registered U.S. citizens here in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. We won’t stop because we recognize the answer to our future’s questions are spoken in Spanish, Urdu, Chinese, Hindi, French, Swahili and hundreds of other languages that do not include English. We won’t stop because the cries of our children must be answered in a way that does not sponsor inhumane policy.
Here’s to reunion.
Joe Cimperman
Putting the “I” in the CIFF
The 42nd Cleveland International Film Festival ran this year from April 4 - 15. During that time, more than 105,000 enthusiastic attendees made their way to Tower City Cinemas to see what the fuss was all about. Here are some stats:
216 feature films
253 short films
72 countries of origin
400 visiting filmmakers
These 400 visiting filmmakers all came to Cleveland to discuss their films with the audience, which is what makes a festival special. Most of our guests are North Americans, particularly from New York, Los Angeles and Toronto, but a number of foreign filmmakers and jurors attend from abroad every year. Many of our guests from near and far have never been to Cleveland before, so the festival serves as an introduction to the many international people and organizations active in Northeast Ohio.
One global award-winner this year was director Tjardus Greidanus for his film BURDEN OF GENIUS, which describes the life and work of organ transplant pioneer Dr. Thomas Starzl. Winner of the Global Health Competition, the Dutch-born, L.A.-based director interviewed three top transplant surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic for his film, while Cleveland-based Lifebanc was the film’s community partner. Community partnerships are a CIFF highlight for both local organizations and visiting filmmakers, since they provide the opportunity for filmmakers and partners to work toward common goals and promote their films in Cleveland – and beyond.
Another big award went to 6 WEEKS TO MOTHER’S DAY by Canadian Marvin Blunte. Marvin won the Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Competition for his movie about the remarkable Children’s Village School in rural west Thailand. This progressive democratic school provides a nurturing environment to over 150 children who have been victims of poverty, neglect, or abandonment. Marvin was thrilled to be present at the festival’s Closing Night ceremony to receive his award.
A second beneficiary of the George Gund Foundation was MEN DON’T CRY by director Alen Drljević, who unfortunately couldn’t make it in from Bosnia. This film, winner of the festival’s George Gund III Central and Eastern European Film Competition, was Bosnia and Herzegovina’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film for this year’s Academy Awards. Co-produced by Bosnia, Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia and Germany, the film tells the story of veterans of the late 1990s Yugoslav Wars who participate in a series of intense sessions aimed at healing and reconciliation.
Pavel Bozhkov’s short film TWEET-TWEET played as part of the Film Slam program, which brings thousands of middle and high school-aged kids from all over Northeast Ohio to morning screenings especially tailored for them. Pavel, a producer who is based in Moscow and Los Angeles, had this to say about his first visit to Cleveland.
From the very first moment in the city I was charmed by it. … when I saw those screenings that were split based on the languages of the movies and all those people in the theaters eager to discover more about the countries of origin of the films - I was incredibly happy. Moreover, people in the streets were really nice, it was obvious they were proud of the event, just like one big family they were happy to see visitors from all around the world. Even though it was cold and windy I felt this unforgettable atmosphere, people around me were open to new emotions and knowledge we brought over with our movies, they were proud of being hosts to an event like that. I would definitely love to come again and spend more time in Cleveland. It will always stay in my heart as a nice and cozy place with sincere and open-minded people whom you rarely meet nowadays.
Director Nick Baker-Monteys was also in town for the festival, with his film THE FINAL JOURNEY. Born in Germany, he studied in Scotland and wrote for London daily papers before returning to Berlin, where he is now based. Set at the beginning of the Ukraine- Russian conflict of 2014, Nick’s film, in Russian and German, stars German actor Jürgen Prochnow of DAS BOOT. Nick had this to say about his stay in Cleveland:
Did want to catch the Cleveland Indians playing between films, but ran out of time unfortunately. What I can say is that (CIFF board member and philanthropist) Char Fowler connected me with the lady who runs the Asian section of the Museum of Art, so I got to see the museum and was very graciously pointed to some of the most important works of art. And I have to say it was one of the most impressive collections I’ve ever seen anywhere! Best regards, Nick
In addition to foreign filmmakers and jurors who attend from abroad every year, the festival’s hard-working seasonal staff comprises several internationals who have chosen to make Northeast Ohio their home.
Festival Guest Relations Ambassador Madoka Ozaki and her family live in the Akron area. Originally from Japan, they have lived in Tuscaloosa, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, London (Ontario), and Grand Rapids. Northeast Ohio is Madoka’s favorite, since she thinks it offers a perfect combination of all the good in all the places they've lived. She writes:
There are so many reasons why we fell in love with Cleveland. I found many very authentic Chinese, Korean or Vietnamese restaurants or grocery stores. A big plus to know that our fellow Asian immigrants have long been thriving here. Cleveland is old and new; conservative and progressive, traditional and multicultural. Cleveland is deep, curious and magnanimous. We are so happy to call it our new home.
The 42nd CIFF opened on April 4 at the Connor Palace Theatre with the charming Irish film THE DRUMMER AND THE KEEPER. Director Nick Kelly, producer Kate McColgan, and lead actor Jacob McCarthy came in from Dublin and were blown away by the love Clevelanders showed them everywhere they went. Nick recalls:
Civic pride runs very deep through this town, from the hairdressers at the retro barbershop where our movie’s young star Jacob and I went to get our hair cut, to the hipster host in the pancake store next door who insisted we try the local blackberry jam, to the multitude of friendly and helpful CIFF volunteers I met at every turn in sprawling environs of Tower City, to the excellent Irish traditional combo playing at the post-screening party – who, by spooky coincidence, as I entered were pulling off a note-perfect rendition of the very tune I walked down the aisle to on my wedding day, O’Carolan’s sublime “Sídh Beag, Sídh Mór”. It’s hard not to love somewhere so fiercely loved by its own population.
Our actual screening as the gala opening film of CIFF42 was an astonishing experience. I’d spent an hour in the vast empty theatre with the exceptionally patient and creative production folk perfecting the sound, and couldn’t help but be nervous. Surely there’s no way that all these endless rows of red velvet seats could possibly be occupied for our little unknown Irish movie? But as the hour drew near, the crowds began to swarm in.
As the final credits rolled that huge audience gave us a standing ovation – and another when we went out for our post-show Q&A. As I said from the stage, despite the size of the crowd it felt like we were in a most intimate space, so unified were people in their interest and enthusiasm.
The after-show party was something of a blur. Shepherded by our wise and saintly festival director Marcie (Goodman), it nevertheless took us over an hour to make our way from the entrance hall of another of the Playhouse Square’s beautiful theatres to the cool opened-up stage floor where the party action was actually taking place. So many kind words, hugs, smiles and tears from so many strangers.
The next morning producer Kate and I finally got to visit the Hall of Fame. Having in a previous existence been a not very famous Atlantic Records recording artist, I had actually once met the great Ahmet Ertegun, so I was delighted to see his name over one the museum’s main halls. I also loved all the costumes and the hand-written lyrics. But for me the top exhibit was the battered suitcase in which Howling Wolf collected his money before going onstage – a convention many contemporary musicians probably wish was still in place.
My own stay in Cleveland was very short. But ten days later, while in New York City, I received the perfect parting gift from the city. A message popped into my inbox informing me that we’d been awarded CIFF42’s biggest prize, the Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award for Best Film. As Spinal Tap’s lead singer David St. Hubins might have said, while triumphantly punching the air:
Thank you, Cleveland!
Brenda Benthien
Guest Relations Director
Cleveland International Film Festival
Business Delegation of The Slovenian Woodworking Companies In The USA
The Slovenian American Business Association (SABA) was founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 2012 with the main objective of providing connections between companies from Slovenia and the US. In addition to these connections SABA is also offering, fee based, market research, market analysis, search for local partners, as well as the organization of visits by economic delegations from both countries.
In the daysspaning from May 21st to the 25th, 2018 SABA, jointly with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia - CCIS, Wood Industry Cluster - GZS, Slovenian Public Agency SPIRIT and Slovenian Embassy in US, organized a visit of a business delegation of the Slovenian woodworking companies in the US. This delegation visited NYC, Cleveland (OH), Pittsburgh (PA) and Imperial (PA).
Representatives of the woodworking companies, CCIS and Wood Industry Cluster that were in the delegation : Donar (Ivan Ukmar, www.donar.si), Lina Design (Damjan Uršič, www.linafurniture.com), CETA (Igor Stepančič, www.ceta.si), Mizarstvo Florjančič (Robert Florjančič, www.florjancic.eu), Aleš Potočnik s.p. (Aleš Potočnik, www.pohistvopotocnik.si), CBD (Bruno Dujiċ, www.cbd.si), LESNA VRATA (Gorazd Ulbl, www.lesna-vrata.si), CCIS (Marko Jare, www.gzs.si) and Wood Industry Cluster (Bernard Likar, www.lesarski-grozd.si) visited Cleveland on Wednesday May 23, 2018 at the Slovenian Consulat General‘s meeting area presented an overview of their businesses and their products. Delegation members had the opportunity to address various US Architects, Designers, Real Estate Agents and Construction companies as well as potential financial resources.
The the objective of the members of this delegation was to present their purpose for potentially entering the US market with their wood products and services (construction, hotel equipment, hospital equipment, production of massive and high quality furniture as well as possible design of high efficiency commercial wood buildings).
The organizations in attendance at these presentations were HWH, Hiti, DiFrancesco + Siebold, Lobistica LLC, Prosen Consulting, J J Kokal & Associates, Inc., RS Interior Design LLC, Team NEO, Global Cleveland (several additional parties also showed great interest in further cooperation and information).
In association with SABA, the event was also supported by Slovenian Consulate General in Cleveland and Global Cleveland as the local partner of SABA and an organization that helps SABA to "connect" with Slovenian companies in Cleveland and the surrounding area.
Following the demonstrated interest and presentations,SABA will offer help to the companies that have demonstrated the greatest interest, to developing additional contacts, with further presentations to potential partners, and additionally keep the American market informed about new developments and products from the companies that were represented in this delegation.
SABA will also assist organizations such as Global Cleveland to be listed in other business direction in Slovenia and will thereby enable further cooperation between potential partners from RS and US. For additional information visit SABA’s website at: www.sloaba.com
A Drift, A Dream Exhibition
The A drift, a dream exhibition began with an intersection in a courtyard at my high school reunion with Stacy Zitek, who was a person I started talking with about my further interest in working and engaging International visiting artists with young people in Cleveland Public Schools. Stacy teaches at Thomas Jefferson Newcomers Academy http://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/INA (TJNA) and continued to tell me about the wonderful, unique CMSD school and students that go there from all around the world.
I reached out and visited almost three years ago when I was the director of Zygote Press https://zygotepress.com , a nonprofit printmaking studio that I co-founded. We were hooked. We had a consistent roster of International visiting artists coming to work at Zygote and connecting them to the students, particularly those students that didn’t have art in their schedules was paramount. We have had artists now who have worked in sustained ways at TJNA -from A-Z- Albania to Zimbabwe. Artists have been role models and inspired and attracted other creative thinkers who work at TJNA in sustained ways. The success of the Zygote’s experience and its impact introduced other arts organizations to the school like the Apollo Outreach Initiative http://www.apollooutreach.org who teaches students stop motion animation and a sundry of different artistic expressions. Cleveland Public Art had already been working with students in the telling of their stories through performance, writing and spoken word.
My connection to this experience led me to a panel organized by the Refugee Service Collaborative where I was able to hear about the wonderful work that is happening to help and celebrate the newcomers to the Cleveland area. At this panel discussion, I expressed my many stories of students who saw other artists who looked like them telling their own stories mediated through art. This was powerful and I was humbly asked to put together an exhibition that would be the first of many. It was important to show the stages in creative development with students, emerging artists, professional artists who work with refugee communities and artists who were refugees and have been here in Cleveland for many years. The feelings of loss, chaos, transition, and belonging are all themes explored and lifted up in this exhibition.
The students of TJNA sparked this exhibition. Their courage, grace and wisdom (beyond their years) are guided by the tireless and committed teachers Felicia Bode, Jamie Lindahl and Caleb Garcia. The entire TJNA staff has been heroic and been accepting for more creative resources and engagement from Cleveland’s collective spaces, non-profit arts and culture organizations and artists. Creating a pipeline of growth, professional development, and modeling where the student’s ideas can be confidently built and developed through the skills and modes of communication by way of creative problem-solving and true grit is what my own vision is for this community.
Stories of challenge are displayed in their Struggle Stories where students wrote about the barriers they have with speaking English. These became accordion books where print-based media like relief, screenprinting and intaglio were used in the process of telling their own stories. The stop-motion animations are brought to life through the student’s writings about their favorite places in the world. Oberlin students from Apollo's Outreach program became mentors and also got first-hand experience teaching, facilitating and developing their skills as leaders in these creative programs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTtZMnkKR1I
Most importantly, the on-going support of these exhibitions, programs and projects needs to continue. It needs to build on these tenants and grow networks of newcomer artists to resources here in Cleveland starting at TJNA. We need to ensure that the support of these creative avenues for refugee creatives, (including The Community West Foundation who supported this exhibition) continue to support these efforts. Our aim is to introduce students to resources like artists, studios, theaters, music halls, and workshops so they can be the cultural collect and community that reflects the open and welcoming city of Cleveland.
Finally, what was most humbling was the students coming to see their own work and celebrate it in their own reception at 78th Street Studios. They got to see their work in a professional space where thousands of people have seen it. They met artists like Halim Ina, a refugee from Lebanon, who came here over 30 years ago and has continued to work with photographic portraiture of refugees from around the world. They visited Eric Rippert’s painting studio http://ericrippert.com, Susie Frazier’s Showroom https://www.susiefrazier.com, OWOW radio station with Ravenna Miceli https://owownow.com/air-staff/, Hedge Gallery http://hedgeartgallery.com with artist Hilary Gent and Matthew Gallagher’s work, and arts conservators Jamye Jamison https://jamisonartconservation.com and Heather Galloway http://www.gallowayartconservation.com.
Thank you Refugee Services Collaborative for the once in a lifetime experience to put together this exhibition and work with the wonderful artists from everywhere in this exhibition. I am so grateful to you for your strength and resiliency and this is what motivates me and so many. My hopes for the future of this moment are:
- An annual exhibition of multi-disciplinary arts reflecting the refugee experience
- Creation of a Refugee artists registry and resources available locally to direct newcomer creatives to resources like the Cleveland artist registry http://www.gordonsquare.org/2018/02/01/gordon-square-artist-network/ and the Collective Arts Network http://canjournal.com
- A refugee artist curating the show in collaboration with a Cleveland-based curator Continued field trips to artist studios and cultural venues embedded with the exhibitions/presentation
- Refugee-friendly companies supporting and promoting the programs/projects/events to their employees and staff
- Local refugee writers responding and writing about the exhibition
Listening to New Americans
Ohio has a rich history of immigrants settling in the state. Their contributions helped build the state’s industrial and commercial strength. Today, new immigrants that call Ohio “home” can be part of our continued economic strength.
Ohio’s Office of Opportunities for New Americans and Global Cleveland invite you to participate in a discussion to identify opportunities for the state of Ohio to help improve the immigrant experience in:
- Finding a job or a better next job
- Connecting with training and education
- Starting a business and hiring others
| Wednesday, July 18, 2018
11:00 a.m. – Noon OR 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Cleveland Public Library - Main Library 325 Superior Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44114 |
Ohio’s Office of Opportunities for New Americans coordinates education, training and workforce resources at the state level and works with local community organizations and businesses to help legal immigrants succeed at work and in their local communities.
Please RSVP to [email protected]. Let us know which session you can attend, if you are bringing anyone with you, and a phone number where we can reach you.
