Slovenia is way more excited about the inauguration than anywhere else
First Lady-to-be Melania Trump hails from Slovenia, which is beyond pumped to be represented in the White House after Friday's swearing-in ceremony.
Since her husband, Donald, was elected American president, the European nation has been capitalizing on its connection to U.S. politics. And for inauguration weekend Melania's hometown of Sevnica is celebrating its moment -- despite the fact that she left the country in her 20s to pursue a modeling career in New York.
Posts from Slovenia show just some of the excitement and pride surrounding Melania's ascension to FLOTUS. In the days leading up to the inauguration, Melania fans could even purchase soil from her native land.
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Her town is going all out. Friday through the weekend, Sevnica is hosting a slew of celebrations in honor of Melania and inauguration. Get ready for free guided tours, events in a 12th-century castle overlooking the city and a grapevine pruning festival -- all for the newest first lady, Mayor Srecko Ocvirk told the Associated Press.
Earlier this week a Washington, D.C., gala was held for Melania. She didn't attend, but Slovenia's presence was strong. There were accordion players in traditional costumes, Slovenian eats (including Kranjska klobasa sausage and potica, a dessert nut roll), and Slovenian vodka and wine. The Washington Post reported the mayor of Melania's hometown said during a video welcome address that he was "proud and delighted."
It's not easy to escape that Slovenia is putting Melania's name on everything. A Croatian newspaper listed Melania shoes, pastries, and hometown tours. A Melania cake is white chocolate with nuts and a gold topping, while Melania pancakes are served with vanilla cream and gold dust.
According to the Slovenian Tourist Board, American tourism has jumped 11 percent in the past year. After Friday even more American visitors are expected to visit the eastern European country.
Restaurants throughout Slovenia have cooked up Trump-themed menus and items to honor the newest American president with a strong Slovenian connection. The BBC featured a restaurant with a burger dish that resembles the 45th president with hot peppers and circular "dollar" fries. The Melania dessert is sponge cake with mascarpone and strawberries, since word on the street is Melania is strawberry fan.
Other "Melania menus" are planned at restaurants and many Sevnicans plan on watching the inauguration events in Washington, D.C. from more than 4,400 miles away.
Forget Russia, Trump's biggest fans are Slovenian.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
Topics Donald Trump Melania Trump
Sasha is a news writer at Mashable's San Francisco office. She's an SF native who went to UC Davis and later received her master's from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She's been reporting out of her hometown over the years at Bay City News (news wire), SFGate (the San Francisco Chronicle website), and even made it out of California to write for the Chicago Tribune. She's been described as a bookworm and a gym rat.
