CLEVELAND — For the past 75 years, people from around the world have been celebrating their culture during the One World Day festival in Cleveland.
One World Day takes place at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, which features more than 30 dedicated gardens that are designed by distinct cultural or nationality groups.
This event also showcases authentic food, cultural performances and a parade of flags.
One of the countries represented at this event was Colombia.
Angelina Klopp is one of the founding members of the Ohio Colombian Foundation.
“Being Colombian is really just loving family, and shining and showing everything they taught me,” Klopp said. “I have 10 tias and tios and we’re all here today representing Colombia.”
Around four years ago, Klopp and her nonprofit, the Ohio Colombian Foundation, brought Colombia to the cultural gardens.
“We would always pass through the gardens, and then one day, I was about 15, I was like ‘mom why is there no Colombian gardens?’ And she was like ‘I don’t know, no one started one,’” she said. “So I called the board of directors for the gardens, and I was like ‘hey guys let’s get a meeting set up’ and I brought my whole foundation with me and it just went from there. We started working towards it ever since.”
Now, the Ohio Colombian Foundation is working to continue to grow their garden and share their Colombian culture with northeast Ohio.
“Just the culture and tradition, and just the fun of being Colombian they have kind of shown me and instilled in me, that I was like I want to share this with everyone,” Klopp said.
You can find the Ohio Colombian Foundation on social media.
