Senator Bernard Sanders is Hillary Clinton's main rival in the race for the Democratic Party nomination in the presidential election. This politician gained popularity thanks to his good results in the Iowa primaries.
However, its popularity is not only increasing in the United States. In the small town of Słopnice, located in the Limanowa district, a real “Sandersomania” took place.
– Two years ago, Senator Sanders visited Słopnice. He wants to learn more about his family history – Adam Sołtys, mayor of Słopnice, tells Onet.
Senator Sanders' visit was organized by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The politician came to Poland to find out more about the fate of his family. His visit to Słopnice caused a great surprise. – We were all surprised that a figure of this caliber wanted to come to our village – said the mayor of the commune.
This American Senator was born in 1941 in Brooklyn, New York into a Polish Jewish family. His father, Eli Sanders, who emigrated to the United States in the 1920s, was born in Słopnice near Limanowa, and his mother – in New York, also from a Jewish family from Poland. The Sanders family, who remained in Europe during World War II, perished in the Holocaust.
The senator's visit included the location where his father's family home was located in the 1990s. The commune office presented the politician with a valuable family souvenir. Due to his interest in history, the senator also traveled to Mszana Dolna, where he laid flowers in front of a monument to Holocaust victims.
Now the residents of Słopnice remain hopeful for Bernard Sanders. They hope the senator succeeds in winning the presidential election. – He is a very kind, warm and open person. In just a few hours, it seemed like we had known each other for several years, said the mayor of the commune.
During his visit to Słopnice, the senator also visited, among other things, schools, community offices or health centers. – He surprised us positively. The organization of social affairs in our commune made a great impression on him – recalls Adam Sołtys.
– When he finished his visit to our village, he thanked us very much for our warm welcome and invited us to the United States. Who knows, maybe if he wins the elections, he will abolish visas for Polish citizens and we will visit him at the White House – added Adam Sołtys with a smile.
We present photos of Senator Bernard Sanders' visit to Słopnice.
(DK)
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