Charlotte’s first Sister City, Arequipa is famous for its historic center built from white volcanic rock and thus called the “White City.” The city was founded in 1540 by Garci Manuel de Carbajal, an emissary of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. The Arequipa region is currently populated by approximately 1 million people. The city serves as a major hub for communications, economic growth and political leadership in Peru. Tourism, textiles and agriculture are the main industries. Arequipa became Charlotte's Sister City in 1962.
Created by charlotte_intl on Feb 28, 2011
Last updated: 03/18/11 at 12:29 PM
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Peruvian Independence Day celebration at Plaza Fiesta Mall featuring Arequipa.
Delegation from Charlotte School of Broadcasting visits Arequipa, meets the Mayor and sees the Charlotte School.
Presentation about Arequipa at the Main Branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, as part of the International Partnerships series.
Juan Carlos Camiña Mendoza attends the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte again. He is a woodcarver whose pieces reflect the culture of Arequipa
Dr. Dena Shenk, Director of the Gerontology Program at UNC Charlotte, works with Dr. Miriham Camargo, a professor of gerontology at the Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria (UCSM) in Arequipa, to develop a master’s degree program in gerontology at UCSM. Dr. Camargo also took part in programs at Queens University.
Arequipa Day Celebration in Charlotte includes live Peruvian music and dancing, and authentic Peruvian drinks and food.
German Rondon Valdivia returns to Charlotte to show his work at the Southern Christmas Show for a second time.
Four firefighters from Charlotte travel to Arequipa to train local firemen.
Arequipa Day celebration included typical Arequipan music, food and drinks.
White City Stories website produced by students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and the Santa Maria Catholic University, Arequipa, Peru
http://www.whitecitystories.org/
Rosa Aquilar of Arequipa showcases her wooden dolls at the Southern Christmas Show. The dolls, which represent the spirits of healing and comfort, wear handmade clothes fitted to them.
Arequipa Firemen visit Charlotte, train with the Charlotte Fire Department and visit the Mint Museum’s Latin American Festival.
A delegation of 7 people from Arequipa visits Charlotte with intentions of extending an official invitation for Mayor McCrory to visit Arequipa.
Juan Carlos Carmiña, a wood carver, visits Charlotte for the Southern Christmas Show. He uses recycled wood and native silver to create his pieces.
A delegation of 9 people from Arequipa visits and discusses immigration initiatives with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police.
The Identidad Perú project between Charlotte Sister Cities and Queens University brings 10 musicians and the Chairman of the Arequipa Committee to Charlotte.
Sheyla Zapana Manrique shows her mixed media crafts at the Southern Christmas Show.
Giuliana Tomasio Cuadros visits for the Southern Christmas Show. She makes crafts from silver and gold.
From August 12-16, 31 people, including Mayor Pat McCrory, visit Arequipa to honor the 40th anniversary of the Sister City Partnership.
German Rondon Valdivia brings his work to Charlotte for the Southern Christmas show. He creates and paints figurines and statues of native Peruvian animals and people.
An earthquake hits Perú, causing serious damage to Arequipa. Charlotte Sister Cities starts an initiative to raise funds to aid Arequipa.
Edgardo Jimenez Pacheco, a metal crafter, shows his foil wall hangings at the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte.
A delegation from Charlotte visits the Charlotte School in Arequipa.
A group of artists from Arequipa visits the Mint Museum and Discovery Place and meets with representatives to discuss the importance of the partnership established between both cities.
Mayor Richard Vinroot and a delegation visit the Charlotte School in Arequipa and travel to Machu Picchu.
A Charlotte group visits Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and Arequipa.
Charlotte Latin School delivers 14 crates of school supplies for the Charlotte School in Arequipa.
Charlotte Sister Cities coordinates a joint effort with local Rotary Club, Rotary Club International, and the Arequipa Rotary Club to purchase $16,000 in microscopes to fight TB.
20 officials from Arequipa visit for the rededication of Arequipa Park.
A past president of the Arequipa Sister Cities Program visits Charlotte.
Charlotte continues its tuberculosis control project by conducting medical evaluations, developing grant proposals, hosting a public health nurse, and hosting INMED staff.
A teacher from Charlotte teaches in Arequipa for five months.
An anthropologist from Arequipa visits Charlotte, lecturing at several events.
First Ward Elementary School raises $1000 for tuberculosis project through student art auctions.
A group of visitors from Charlotte establishes the Charlotte School in Arequipa to help impoverished areas.
A Sister Cities delegation visits Perú.
"Art from Arequipa" is on display in Charlotte to raise money for tuberculosis medicine.
A 30 member delegation from Charlotte visits Arequipa on a goodwill and medical trip.
Judges from a local gallery and the Mint Museum select pictures in Arequipa to put on display in Charlotte.
An expanded tuberculosis project raises $30,000 to fight the disease in Arequipa, including an event the Peruvian ambassador attends that raises $10,000.
Discussions with the UNAMONOS School in Arequipa in consideration of a future technical assistance exchange project reconvene.
http://www.unamonos.com.pe/
City of Charlotte conducts Technical Assistance Program in Arequipa – An Analysis of Tax Collection Practices. Bill Stuart is the technical representative from Charlotte.
Deputy Mayor from Arequipa visits for 5 days.
19 teachers from Arequipa study English in Charlotte.
Arequipa Park is dedicated in Charlotte at the Charlotte Public Library Main Branch.
Charlotte sends 2,000 school desks to Arequipa.
The Charlotte City Council, under Mayor Stan Brookshire, recognizes Arequipa, Perú as Charlotte’s first Sister City. A delegation from Charlotte visits Arequipa to formalize the relationship.
Various civic, educational, and cultural visits occur between the two cities.

