After being held in a concentration camp, I came to Cleveland in 1949 because there was a big Slovenian community. There was a total of about 100,000 Slovenians in all of Greater Cleveland, with about 20,000 of them living in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.

Where are you from?

I am from Slovenia. I came to the United States in September 1949. A few years prior to this, I was held at Dachau [concentration camp], then liberated by the Americans.

What was it like growing up?

When I grew up in Slovenia, the country was about 84% farmland. Now, it is largely industrial. I graduated from the university in the capital of Slovenia, where I studied history and geography. Then, I taught at a junior college.

What brought you to Cleveland?

There was a big Slovenian community. There was a total of about 100,000 Slovenians in all of Greater Cleveland, with about 20,000 of them living in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood. Later, most Slovenians in the region moved east to Mentor and Geneva. At one point, there were four Slovenian parishes in the area. Today, just two remain: St. Vitus and St. Mary’s.

What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?

I knew America quite well, because I had studied history and geography. It was not something new to me.

What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?

The politics of the United States differed from Slovenia. Slovenia was communistic. The United States was not.

What is your occupation?

I am retired now, but from 1950 to 1980, I was the editor of Ameriska Domovina (or American Home), a conservative Catholic Slovenian daily newspaper. Today, I am still somewhat active in the Slovenian community and stay informed of current events.

What do you love about Cleveland?

It’s a nice place to live. The climate is okay, and the people are nice. Cleveland, Ohio is surely a good place.

Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?

That’s the way the United States began. This is a country of immigrants. This is tradition.