The European Commission adopted a decision to increase short stay Schengen visa (visa type C) fees worldwide by 12 per cent. The increase will apply worldwide as of 11 June 2024.

This year´s Cleveland Kurentovanje, held for the eleventh time, attracted over 15 thousand visitors from Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arizona, Washington, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. The Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia actively participated in many events, which included culinary, music, sport events, and much more.

On February 5 we celebrated Prešeren Day in Cleveland. February 8 marks the anniversary of death of France Prešeren, the greatest Slovenian poet, who died in 1849. This presentation featured Slovenian literature, poetry, and music.

Even when living abroad, Slovenians do not forget their tradition, and must does have to turn into wine. Here are some images from tonight's Martinovanje in Cleveland!

On October 21, 2022, the Office for Slovenes Abroad published a Public Tender for tender area B in 2023 - financial support for Slovenes around the world.

Images from today's last event, dancing to the sounds of the Eddy Rodick Orchestra, organized by the Cleveland- style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum in the now already sold Slovenian Society Home in Euclid/Recher Hall, which will close its doors on October 24.

Today, we celebrated Plecnik's year 2022 with the opening of the exhibition "Plecnik's Ljubljana" of the Museum of Architecture and Design Ljubljana at the Cleveland Public Library - as part of the Cleveland Sister Cities Conference.

At the upcoming Cleveland Sister Cities Conference 2022 (October 18-20), Ljubljana, a long-time partner of Cleveland, will present itself during several events.

Today we started setting up the exhibition about Plecnik´s Ljubljana.

With today's successful tourism-promotional, cultural and culinary event entitled "In Honor of Slovenia", which took place after the screening of the film "Emerald Paradise" at the opening of the Chagrin Falls Documentary Film Festival 2022, we concluded this year's "Slovenian Days in Cleveland 2022".

The seventh event of this year's "Slovenian Days in Cleveland 2022" was the screening of the documentary Polka! The Movie, followed by a pleasant gathering with tarragon potica and Slovenian wine!

We started the fifth day of Slovenian Days in Cleveland 2022 with mass in the Slovenian church of St. Mary of the Assumption in Collinwood and continued with the concert of the Megaron Chamber Choir - this time with a program of Slovenian folk songs, which made many people cry!

The sixth event of the Slovenian Days in Cleveland 2022 was marked by cuisine, folk music and Slovenian tradition - traditional Grape Festival at the SNPJ Farm in Kirtland

The fourth day of Slovenian Days in Cleveland 2022 was spent on the beautiful property of the Slovenian St.Clair Rifle and Hunting Club for the traditional fall "Clambake".

Tonight we marked the third event within the project "Slovenian Days in Cleveland 2022" - in the Cleveland Cathedral, with a concert of the Slovenian choir "Megaron" with conductor and composer Damijan Močnik.

Within the framework of the Slovenian Days in Cleveland 2022 we opened an exhibition of sculptures in the Slovenian Museum and Archives. It is entitled "Angels" by the recently deceased Slovenian painter Lučka Koščak, who lived in Switzerland.

This evening, the first in a series of nine events of this year's Slovenian Days in Cleveland took place at the Slovenian National Home on St.Clair, opened by Cleveland City Councilor Mike Polensek and SNH President Bob Hopkins together with our Consul General Alenka Jerak.

We would like to inform you that we will hold a Consular day in Lemont, IL on Saturday, August 13 2022 from 10 am to 1 pm, at the Slovenian Catholic Center (14252 Main St., Lemont, IL 60439.

Consul General Alenka Jerak visited the SNPJ in Enon Valley, PA. Slovenefest 2022 was held there from July 8 through July 10. This event, the biggest SNPJ event of 2022, offered a chance to meet with other Slovenians while listening to Slovenian music and enjoying Slovenian dishes and beverages.

Consul General Alenka Jerak met with the Ohio Governor DeWine and Mrs. DeWine at their Residence near Columbus. Also present were the Director for Development/Economy Lidya Mihalik and Members of the Consular Corps in Ohio.

Today we celebrated Slovenian Statehood Day at Slovenska Pristava in Harpersfield as part of the event "I am proud to be a Slovenian", and awarded commemorative medals of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia to individuals who 31 years ago actively contributed to the American recognition of independent Slovenia.