Newport hosts visitors from French sister city

City Council will honor delegation from Antibes as cities celebrate 15 years of sisterhood.This week, Marie Atkins holds the key to conversation.

The French-born Newport Beach resident will play a crucial role with a visiting delegation from Antibes, France.

Atkins is the only fluent French-speaking member of the Newport Beach Sister City Assn., a collection of volunteers who coordinate events with the city’s international partners.

As the organization celebrates the 15th anniversary of the start of its relationship with Antibes, a city located on the southern coast of France, Atkins’ role is well-defined.

“I’m happy being a liaison and helping out with translation,” said Atkins, vice president of the association and co-chair of the Antibes committee. “I’ve always been comfortable speaking with guests from different countries.”

When representatives from the two sister cities get together -- which is at least once a year -- the dialogue usually centers on how each delegation can get the most out of the partnership.

And for the last two years, given the United States and France’s political disagreements, a discussion of current events has been inevitable.

“I have to be very diplomatic,” Atkins said. “When we started the Iraq War, I was caught in between the two sides. In a sister-city relationship, we go above and beyond the politics.”

Atkins said each city does its best to make the other feel welcome. When the Newport Beach delegation -- including Mayor John Heffernan, Councilman Don Webb and City Manager Homer Bludau -- visited Antibes in July, they were greeted by an American flag and a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

At tonight’s Newport Beach City Council meeting, Atkins said the French visitors will receive a similar reception. Heffernan is planning to read a proclamation noting the anniversary, and Atkins is prepared to read the words in French.

“This is what makes you feel special when you visit a foreign country,” Atkins said. “It’s protocol -- these relationships have to involve reciprocity.”

The 10 Antibes officials were scheduled to arrive Monday and are staying through the weekend at a Fashion Island hotel. Their itinerary includes a trip on the Balboa Island Ferry, a tour of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and a number of private dinners and receptions.

The group will not include Antibes Mayor Jean Leonetti, whose involvement in the French Parliament has kept him at home. He is sending his wife, along with two top city officials and the head of tourism.

Atkins, who has dual citizenship and speaks with a French accent, said she is looking forward to reuniting with friends in Antibes.

Since 2000, Atkins and Antibes co-chair Fay Bosler have pressed for student involvement in the program. For all but one year, when the United States invaded Iraq, a group of Newport Beach high school students have made a spring trip to the French city of more than 100,000 residents.

In February, seven high school students and one teacher from Antibes traveled to Newport Beach.

Cherri Myers, a Newport Beach Sister City Assn. board member, traveled with the Newport Beach delegation in July. No students attended that trip, but her son went to Japan as a 14-year-old student ambassador in 1997.

“I like the cultural exchange,” Myers said. “It was great having a student stay in the house.”

Karen Evarts, an association board member whose three children all have been to Japan through the exchange program, echoed Myers’ sentiments.

“It has been a real enrichment to our lives to have Japanese friends and French friends,” she said.

Last year, the association celebrated its 20th sister-city partnership with Okazaki, Japan. Members of the local delegation traveled for a similar ceremony.

The association is also developing partnerships with Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico.