Ethiopian Cultural Garden Dedication

On Aug. 24 Mayor Frank G. Jackson and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) were joined by the Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States, Fitsum Arega, to unveil the first phase of the Ethiopian Cultural Garden. The Ethiopian Garden is the first garden representing an African country and features a 5-paneled mosaic wall depicting 5,000 years of Ethiopian history. The Menelik Hall Foundation, which supports Ethio-American efforts in Cleveland and worldwide, has spent seven years raising over $25,000 for the garden and is currently working to raise funds for Phases II and III.
 
Also present at the unveiling celebration were Ethiopian artists Zerihun Yetmgeta and Ernesto Spinelli, Honorary Consul of Ethiopia Dr. Brook Hailu, Aklilu Demessie, Dr. William Khoury and Lori Ashyk of the CCGF, Ward 9 Councilman Kevin Conwell, Joe Cimperman, Denise Su of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Dr. Carl Robson, M.D., Ethiopian Garden Spokesperson Scott Embacher, Herb Resnick and a host of others.