Written By Robin Shepherd
Today, Sister Cities associations can be found in both Gilroy and Morgan Hill. Citizen volunteers in these nonprofit organizations are
dedicated to building person-to-person relationships with other cities around the world, primarily through the exchange of cultural,
educational, and business ideas and experiences. Over the years, their efforts have been supported and applauded by Gilroy and
Morgan Hill city officials.
Gilroy Sister Cities
Saint-Clar, France
Monticelli d’Ongina, Italy
Gilroy has six sister cities. Gilroy Sister Cities Association Board
member Hugh Smith and his wife Carol have been active in the
group since 2005. The Smiths enjoy travel abroad, especially to
Japan, and they have hosted international guests in their home
for more than 20 years. Hugh provided
TODAY with an
overview of his group’s activities.
“We chose cities of similar population size that had some
interests in common with Gilroy, such as our agricultural
heritage. Garlic has been an important connection for us, and
we’re branching out beyond that. Our sister city relationships
are approved by the mayor and the city council. The relation-
ships are nurtured by citizens.”
Takko, Aomori Prefecture Japan
Tecate, Baja California, Mexico
gmh
Koror, Republic of Palau
Angra do Heroísmo, Azores Portugal
France
In 1985, Gilroy became a sister city to Saint-Clar, France,
located in the historic region of Ger (aka Gascony) in south-
western France. Ail, or garlic in French parlance, is a major crop
there; and like South Santa Clara Valley, Ger is an increasingly
popular wine region.
“In 2015, we hosted 41 people from Saint-Clar when their
citizen’s marching band came to meet and perform for us during
the Gilroy Garlic Festival,” Smith said. Over the years, the Garlic
Festival has been a focal point for many visits from city officials
and delegates from Gilroy’s sister cities in Japan, Portugal and
Mexico.
“We hold a welcome reception, treat our visitors to a day at
the Garlic Festival, and spend a day touring locally, including
downtown Gilroy, Gilroy Gardens, the outlets, and our local
wineries. We leave one day open so our host families can take
their guests on a day trip and enjoy some one-on-one time.”
Los Pagayos Marching Band visiting from Saint-Clar, France (2015)
Japan
Takko is located on Honshu, Japan’s largest island. From Tokyo,
it’s a 2.5-hour ride on the bullet train. Takko is known as the
garlic capital of Japan and holds an annual Garlic and Beef
Festival, which the Smiths and other Gilroy Sister Cities delegates
have attended. Every year, Takko hires a Gilroy resident to spend
12 months there as Coordinator of International Relations. Every
year, Takko also sends two youth groups to Gilroy. Junior high
students visit in the fall and senior high students visit in the
winter. They stay with host families who have children of the
same age, and attend classes with our students.
“During their stay we give them a tour of our city,” Smith
said. “The kids really bond with each other, and it’s always an
emotional farewell.”
Continued on page 87
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
Gilroy hosts visitors from Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal/Azores (2013)
MARCH/APRIL 2017
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