Like most cities across the United States, Louisville has had a long history of European immigrants settling in and reshaping the community. The diverse neighborhoods reflect that influence even today. Many members of the community are proud to live in the Germantown, Paristown, Irish Hill, Schnitzelburg, Limerick, Kensington, or Cambridge neighborhoods.

Beginning in the mid-1800s, large numbers of European immigrants arrived in Louisville and changed both the economic and political landscape. The descendents of many of these immigrants celebrate their heritage in Louisville through a wide variety of festivals and organizations: Octoberfest, German Heritage Festival, Irish Family Fest, Greek Fest, Scottish Society of Louisville, Ancient Order of Hibernians – just to name a few.

In recent years, Louisville has become home to a large number of refugees from the wars in former Yugoslavia. With the arrival of these new residents, Bosnian restaurants and bakeries have joined Louisville’s long list of ethnic eateries throughout the community. Their arrival in Louisville Metro over the last few years continues the city’stradition of welcoming and celebrating Europe’s peoples and cultures.