Queen City Culture

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    Along a popular pedestrian corridor, in a European lingerie shop called La Silhouette, Swedish Britt Cruikshank hums to classical music as she places La Pearla, Chantelle, and Millesia pieces on the window mannequins for passersby to see.

    She opened this lingerie shop because in Gothenburg, Sweden, all little girls are taught to dress from the inside out and lingerie is an integral part of that way of life. But, surprisingly, Cruikshank’s store isn’t in Sweden. It’s not even in Europe. It’s in Madeira, a town nestled about 13 miles away from downtown Cincinnati. And while that’s about 4,224 miles from her native Gothenburg, Cruikshank makes sure it doesn’t feel that way.

    0208GIBBERMAN.gif Owning and operating La Silhouette helps to keep her European heritage alive in Cincinnati. “If one travels in Europe, they will find quaint, yet sophisticated boutiques of all sorts throughout Europe,” Cruikshank says. “It is a part of life; and it is also a part of me.”

    Aside from the store, she often enjoys the traditional Swedish dish of herring, follows soccer and ice hockey closely and her heart flutters when she sees a sailboat. Sailing is a favorite pastime in Gothenburg, which is on the West Coast of Sweden.

    Since moving here 38 years ago, Cruikshank says she keeps in touch with loved ones via telephone and she still travels to Gothenburg several times a year to stay with friends or family. “Cincinnati has ‘beaucoup’ to offer culturally for the local folks,” Cruikshank says. “They just need to search them out.”

    And “searching them out” is what this story is all about. Read on for resources and useful information about the great multitude of multi-cultural offerings in Greater Cincinnati.

    Hispanic Culture
    According to MidwestLatino.com, a prominent organization keeping the Hispanic fires alive, the goal is promoting the richness and variety of the local Latino/Hispanic culture, as it helps Latinos/Hispanics maintain their cultural integrity as they crossover to the mainstream U.S. society.


    Whether you are a new transplant to the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area or just have a passion for anything Latino, then you’ll feel right at home in Cincinnati’s booming Hispanic scene!

     

    Organizations
    Have questions regarding immigration laws? Want to open your own ethnic grocery? Refer to these sites for all your business-related queries:

     

     

    Events
    Want to experience the authentic Hispanic culture? Take a Spanish class? Learn to salsa or merengue? Then check out these organizations that have a plethora of Latino-themed events to choose from:

     


    Dining
    Who doesn’t love some good ole’ Mexican food? But did you know that you can try Peruvian or Dominican food locally? Check out these prime examples of Latin-spiced cuisine.


    Asian Culture
    With the variety of different Asian backgrounds found locally there are many ways to say “Hello!”: Kumusta Po Kayo! (Filipino), Ni Hao! (Chinese), Chao Cac Ban! (Vietnamese), Ahn yawng hah she yoh! (Korean), Sa-Wat Dee! (Thai), Namaste! (Hindi) and Ohio Gozaimasu! (Japanese). Check out the resources below to learn more about the local growing Asian communities:


    Organizations

     

    Events
    There are a variety of Asian-themed activities right here in the area. Check them out here and here.

     

    Chinese

     

    Organizations

     

    Dining
    Nobody does takeout like the Chinese. Locally, we have a variety of options to choose from.


     
    Japanese
     
     

     

    Dining
    Check out this great listing of authentic Japanese restaurants.


    Korean
     
    Organizations

     

    Dining
    Check out this great listing of authentic Korean restaurants. 

     

     

    Indian
     

    Organizations

     

     


    Dining
    Whether you’re in the mood for vegetarian or non-veg Indian meal options, you’ll sure to satisfy both cravings at these restaurants.
     

     

    Thai

     

    Dining
    There are more than 20 restaurants offering the sweet and spicy flavor of Thai cuisine.

     

     

    Vietnamese

     

    Dining

    Don’t have to travel far for some authentic Vietnamese fare with these restaurants around.


     
    Indonesian
     
     
    Dining
    Experience authentic Indonesian food, art, gardens and drinks at Gajah Wong West.

     

     

    African American Culture

     

    Organizations
     

     

    Dining
    Everyone loves comfort food. Check out these local restaurants that serve up some awesome traditional soul food.

     

     

    Italian Culture

     

    Organizations

     

     

     

    Dining
    There’s not much too elaborate here. Make sure you eat at least at one of these authentic Italian joints.

     

    Greek/Medditerrian Culture
     
     
    Organization

     

     

    Events

    Did someone say Baklava?! Get them at the Panegyri Greek Festival

     

    Dining
    Check out these Greek/Medditerrian restaurants offering everything from falafel to kebabs.

     

     

    German Culture
    Cincinnati was originally founded as a German immigrant city. Today, a great deal of the German culture can be found. In fact, Cincinnati hosts the second largest Oktoberfest celebration in the world, second only to that of Germany’s! Guten Tag!

     

    Organizations 

     

     

     

    Events

     

     

    Dining
    Whether it’s schnitzel, sauerkraut balls or spatzel,check out these and these local restaurants offering authentic German fare.

     

     

    Jewish Culture
    The main focus of the Jewish community is founded on the Jewish people’s commitment to “tzedekah”-  that it is righteous and just to ‘do right’ by others. Check out these local organizations making a difference locally:

     

    Organizations

     


    Events/Holidays
    PlanitJewish.com is a great site for keeping your Jewish holiday and social calendar full and up-to-date.


    Dining
    It’s not hard being kosher in Cincinnati, check out these local restaurants that get the Rabbi’s seal of approval.


     
    Islamic Culture
    The goal of the Islamic community, according to Muslim American Society – Cincinnati Chapter is to revive the faith, develop and unite the Muslim community, contribute to the betterment of society and promote the universal values of Islam within the framework of the pluralistic American society.


    Organizations
     

     

    Events/Holidays
    Check here for upcoming Muslim events and holidays.

     

    Dining
    There are many local restaurants offering halal (Islamically permissible) food.

     

     

    French Culture

     

    Organizations 

     

     

    Dining
    Craving a nicoise or ratatouille? Then head over to these French-themed restaurants. Bon appetit!


     
    Russian Culture
     
     
    Organization

     

    Dining
    T    he one and only Baltic Restaurant offers up some authentic Russian and East European fare.


     
    Polish Culture
     

     

     

    Dining
    See Russian Dining.

     

     

    General Resources
    Check these sites out for further details about the multi-cultural scene in Cincinnati:

     

     

     

    Editor’s note: We did our best in highlighting all the different cultures in the area, but as you can imagine, we have only scratched the surface of the local diversity. Please let us know of another great culture that we may have overlooked, in the comment box below.

    PHOTO CREDITS:
     Photo: Neysa Ruhl Photography
    Location: Fischer Homes
    Models (left to right): Joanne Carey, Tracy Harrison and Deborah Ward
    Makeup Artistry: Jocelyn Sparks, Zoë Custom Cosmetics

     

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