James Joyce 1882-1941 Irish author, playwright and poet. Best known for the early collection of short stories” Dubliners”; and the novels “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man”; “Ulysses” and “Finnegan’s Wake” This body of work is central to the development of the Modernist literary movement of the early 2oth century. The stream […]
Educator, teacher, and writer living from 1592 to 1670. One of the earliest proponents of universal education and father of modern education. Bishop of Unity of the Brethen before becoming a religious refugee who lived in eight different countries subsequently. Surname was latinized to Comenius and is often known by that spelling than by the […]
A Lutheran minister and poet, Kollar was a Slovak nationalist who advocated for the linguistic rights of Slovaks, and predicted liberty for Slovakia. His bust was a gift of the Evangelical Union and Lutherans of Cleveland. A replacement bust may have been cast by Jirouch.
1957 remake of the original bust by same sculptor, Frank Jirouch of Cleveland. Re-installed in July, 2010 after the bust was stolen in 2007 and recovered. The 1957 bust was underwritten by the Slovak Evangelical Union according to an inscription on the bust’s right side–looking at it
In ground (Shakespeare platform) plaque honoring Ms. Withycombe-Mercer for her service to the Shakespeare Garden and the Cultural Gardens, as well. Installed in 1957. Created by Frank Jirouch who did so many of the bronze plaques, busts and statues in the Cultural Gardens, by far.
Roman Catholic priest, “realist”, and writer in the “country prose” style which emphasized the traditional moral values of the countryside from whence Baar came. Part of the “Catholic modern” style for a period, he later left the movement. Lived from 1869 to 1925.
Finland’s national poet. Lived 1804 to 1877. Quote on pillar: Our land, Finland. Our native land. O, let her name ring clear. Erected in 1964 by the Finnish Central Committee of Cleveland, OH
Johann Sebastian Bach was an established composer and organist, who would help establish styles and movements in music. Some of his most known works are ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’ and the Mass in B Minor. **** Original Text: Composer
Added at the garden’s rededication ceremony in September 2004, the bench honors the contribution of Johanna Roth to the German Cultural Gardens.
John Millington Synge 1871-1909 Irish playwright, poet, & prose writer. Co-Founder and first literary advisor at The Abbey Theater. He found his inspiration in County Mayo, the rural west coast of Ireland. Synge’s infamous play “Playboy of the Western World” 1907 was initially rejected by audiences as too crass and degrading of the Irish people.
A physician and folklorist, Basanavicius helped lead a national Renaissance of Lithuania at the end of 19th century. His work collecting folklore and research on Lithuanian history and culture became central to the works of a generation of artists and writers, especially those celebrating Lithuanian national identity. The Basanavicius bust is a copy of an […]
Remenyi was a Hungarian writer whose work gained popularity later in his life. He was a professor at Case Western Reserve University.
Incised in a paver at the foot of the boat-like planting bed is the relevant text from the Estonian epic poem, Kalevipoeg, which inspired the abstract, vertical, sculpture that has been the centerpiece of the Garden since its dedication in 1966. The prominent location of the text will now enable visitors to better understand the […]
Karel Havlicek Borovský 1821-1856 Czech political writer, critic, journalist, politician, poet and publisher. Note there are a number of famous Karel Havlicek. The appendage Borovský distinguishes this fellow. Bronze bust on pedestal on the north side of the semi-circular walk in the Garden. No known date for the bust’s placement other than sometime after 1954.
Granite plaque in white masonry pillar with following text: Dedicated to Professor Metod Klemec on July 29, 2004, in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of global peace and unity by joining the youth of many nations together in the forum of friendly athletic competition known as the International Children’s Games. Cleveland was the […]
**** Only information tied to Emma Lazarus has been provided in previous entry
In ground, granite marker recognizing fountain underwriters’ family patriarch.
Leonardo da Vinci was a 15th & 16th century “rennaissance man”: an architect, sculptor, engineer, inventor, mathematician, musician, and painter. The carved stone medallion sits above a double shell fountain, along a terraced wall and parapet that frames the semi-circular stone court of the lower gardens.
Sculpted lions on pillar bearing marble plaque at southern entrance to the Garden. Pillar and sculpture by Frank L. Jiroush, dated 1935. Plaque is replacement added in 1997. Plaque text translation: Czech, Cultural Garden, Bohemia Moravia, Silesia, Homeland of Teachers, Statesmen Martyrs, Musicians and Artists, This Garden is dedicated, to our beloved Czech, parents who […]
Arguably the most famous and influential composer of all time, Beethoven, would craft nine symphonies amongst dozens of other works. He would suffer from hearing problems throughout his career until his eventual deafness. Often in love he would dedicate his pieces to women, but never marry. ***** Original text: Beethoven was a composer and pianist, […]
Maironis (1862-1932) was a prominent romantic poet who celebrated Lithuanian national values, especially the history of Lithuania and Lithuanian language. Compare the images: Seen here are both the 2009 stone replacement and the 1999 fiberglass version that was reproduced by the sculptor Palukaitis. Can you tell the two sculptures apart? Notice how the fiberglass version deteriorated? The Cleveland sculpter Riffle was commisioned to replace it with this […]
The poet-priest whose poems were the inspiration for the Lithuanian’s struggle for independence. This bust is the 2009 version which replaces a previous, deteriorating fiberglass reproduction of the original bronze bust which was installed on June 25,1961.
Marble tablets bearing four C’s with a mosaic pebble frame.
No picture. Konopnicka’s writings championed Polish patriotism, as well as the plight faced by women and children.
Replacement bust of Madame Curie dedicated June 7, 2009. Sculptor Timothy Riffle of Cleveland. Manufacturer: Studio Foundry, Cleveland. Milano Monument installer and engraving modification of the original pillar. Underwriters of the restoration: Elizabeth Dabrowski, Teresa DeChant, Holden Parks Trust, Diane Karpinski, and Maria Siemionow.
In 1962, the Czech Cultural Garden added a bust, prominently displayed in the center of the garden, to the first president of Czechoslovakia, Thomas Masaryk.
This wrought iron Memorial Gate has portals honoring three great Germans: Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528), the artist; Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), the composer; and Ulrich von Hutten (1428-1523), soldier, humanist and writer. The design of these portals was supervised by Carl Bröml, a leader of the Federal Arts Project. They were created in 1937 by Herman […]
A painter, sculptor, architect, and poet, Michaelangelo’s artistic contributions helped to define the 16th century Italian Renaissance. He is best known for his sculpture, David, and frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The carved stone medallion sits above a double shell fountain, along a terraced wall and parapet that frames the semi-circular stone […]
On the wall overlooking Poets’ Corner rock garden is a pillar, rising out of the wall, which had a cast bronze plaque of Milton B Schweid along with an inscription “Bountifulness is as a garden of abundance. And benevolence endureth forever.” Schweid family was active in the Garden and prominent in the local Jewish community. […]
Maimonedes–Spanish 1135-1204 (69 yrs) Rabbi, physician and philosopher in Spain, Morocco and Egypt during Middle Ages. One of the greatest Jewish scholars of all ages.
Moses Mendelssohn–German 1729-1786 (57 yrs) Philosopher whose ideas gave rise to the Jewish Enlightenment or Haskalah. Very close to Lessing,prominent German playwright and author. The German Cultural Garden was dedicated to Lessing and a joint celebration was held with the predecessor Hebrew Garden as a result of Mendelssohn’s and Lesser’s close friendship. Bible commentator and […]
Bronze statue of Mother Teresa being dedicated on September 22, 2012.
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The Hebrew Cultural Garden’s Music section is directly south of the fountain & in the shape of a lyre or small harp, framed by the sidwalk around the lyre shape.. In the 10 September, 1937 article “‘Wisdom’s House’ Dwells in Hebrew Cultural Garden” the triangular pillar at the south end bore a plaque on its […]
A noted 16th century astronomer, Copernicus argued that the earth and planets revolved around the sun, a stunning reversal of popular wisdom of the day.
Granite replica of Frank Jiroush’s original bronze bust. Replica, using original plaster mold, dedicated on September 10, 1961. Rededicated Fall, 1996. Nicolaus Copernicus 1473-1543 Polish Renaissance astronomer. First to develop a complete heliocentric cosmology which placed the Sun at the center of the universe and not Earth.
Northern face of the Dante sculpture’s base with excerpt from the Divine Comedy along with related small sculpture related to text. See separate text listing.
On a rainy day in May 1938, thousands attended the opening ceremony for the Yugoslav Cultural Garden. Photo by: Cleveland Public Library 1938
