Cleveland’s Lithuanian community

The Bendruomenė brings Cleveland’s Lithuanian organizations together to plan the year’s events, and invites everyone to community gatherings such as singing the national anthem with Lithuanians around the world in the Lithuanian Cultural Garden.

Founded in 1920, the club has been at the Lithuanian Community Center on E. 185th Street since 1973. The building is home to the Gintaras Dining Room, the Amber Ballroom, and the Cleveland Lithuanian Archive, and many of the groups on this page meet there. It is a membership club; ask about joining.

The community’s own website, with a calendar of Lithuanian events across Northeast Ohio and news from every organization. Groups can send it their events to be listed.

A library, museum, and archive of more than 18,000 books, documents, recordings, and photographs telling the story of Lithuanians in Ohio, kept at the Lithuanian Community Center.

Dedicated in 1936 and shaped like a lyre, the garden descends three levels from East Boulevard in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Lithuanians gather there on One World Day each August, and the Friends of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden care for it.

Lithuania’s honorary consul for Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky helps with questions about citizenship, visas, documents, translations, and business with Lithuania.

One of the oldest Lithuanian Saturday schools in the United States, founded in 1957. Children from kindergarten up learn the Lithuanian language, history, geography, and traditions. All children are welcome, whatever their level of Lithuanian.

Lithuanian classes for every level, from beginners to nearly fluent, with history, customs, and current events discussed mostly in English, and a monthly round table in Lithuanian. New students are welcome.

Lithuanian scouting has been in Cleveland since 1949. The girls’ troop Neringa and the boys’ troop Pilėnai run their program in Lithuanian and teach Lithuanian culture alongside scouting. Women can also join Židinys, the senior scouts.

Meetings, events, and camps for Catholic young people of Lithuanian descent, from second grade through high school, growing in faith and in love for their Lithuanian heritage.

The Lithuanian summer camp in Michigan, about three hours from Cleveland, where young Lithuanians from across the U.S. have camped since 1957.

Cleveland’s Lithuanian choir gives concerts and represents Cleveland at Lithuanian song festivals. New singers are welcome.

Lithuanian folk dancing for children, students, young adults, and adults, carrying on the tradition of Cleveland’s famous Grandinėlė. Švyturys performs at festivals in the U.S. and abroad and welcomes dancers from age 4.

A nonprofit sports club for Northeast Ohio residents with Lithuanian roots or interest, competing in a variety of sports in the U.S. and around the world.

Lithuanian music, news from Lithuania, and Cleveland community announcements, hosted by Marius Juodišius and Augis Dicevičius. Listen on the radio or online from anywhere. Send them your parish and community announcements.