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Dignitaries from across the globe gathered in Gilroy to celebrate two decades of foreign friendships.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of Gilroy's sister city relationship with Takko-Machi, Japan, representatives from three of Gilroy's six sister cities kicked off a week of festivities with a welcome dinner to the tune of Japanese drums, Portuguese brass, Suzuki violins and a Mariachi band. Divided by a language barrier, delegates from each of the sister cities communicated as best they could over dinner.

"We are very honored to be here," said Keiko Sato, a representative from Takko-Machi who was dressed for the occasion in a traditional wrap. "Garlic made us friends 20 years ago. We are looking forward to the relationship continuing."

Of all the sister cities, Sato's town shares the deepest bond with Gilroy. Students from Takko and Gilroy have been traversing the globe for years, enjoying each other's hospitality. Over the past 20 years, Gilroy High School Choir Director Phil Robb has taken more than 150 of his singers to the town in the hills of northern Japan. Delegates from Gilroy visit Takko for the town's annual Garlic and Beef Festival in October and familiar faces from Japan can always be recognized at the Gilroy version. During their stay, representatives will attend the Garlic Festival and tour Gilroy.

In addition to Takko-Machi, Gilroy shares ties with five other cities: Monticelli d'Ongina, Italy; St. Clar, France; Tecate, Mexico; Koror, Republic of Palau; and Angra do Heroismo, Portugal - the newest addition to the list. Mayors Donaldo Avila of Tecate, Yoshinori Matsuhashi of Takko-Machi and David Taupiac of St. Clar and their fellow delegates mingled with school board and city council members, the police and fire chiefs, Mayor Al Pinheiro and other local luminaries from Gilroy. Diplomats from Portugal were slated to arrive Tuesday but a flight delay temporarily stranded them on the East Coast.

"It is very important to impart in each city the way of life of the other ones," Taupiac said. This is Taupiac's second trip to Gilroy, his first as acting mayor of St. Clar. "For us, it's very important to have this relationship."

The relationships were forged so that the seven sisters would have a deeper appreciation of their own and each other's way of life.

"It's great to see the communities come together," said Patrick Foley of Gilroy, coordinator for international relations in Takko-Machi. "It's the grassroots of what this is all about - people making friendships and connections despite any cultural or language differences."

As the 14th coordinator, Foley has been living in Takko for two months and is still picking up bits and pieces of the language as he goes.

"It's fascinating to watch them transcend those language differences and communicate vis-a-vis hand signals and smiles," he said.

Smiles were plentiful as the evening progressed. Young women clad in colorful Japanese robes, Garlic Queen Ariele Combs bedecked in a glittering tiara and musicians in snappy uniforms stood out against dignitaries dressed in muted business suits.

Before dinner, the Portuguese marching band played the American National Anthem as Mayor Pinheiro flew a tiny American flag.

"Everyone has such an affinity for Gilroy and the Sister City relation," Foley said. "It's nice to be a part of it."