Charlotte and Arequipa: A Sisterly Connection Across Continents

Published on October 14, 2025

An arequipa exhibit inside the charlotte mecklenburg government center.

The Arequipa display in the Charlotte-Meckleburg Government Center.

By Morgan Newell

It was a cool February day in 1962 when a bold idea took root in Charlotte. Amid the rapid growth of the Queen City, local leaders sought an international partnership that would blossom into one of the city’s most successful programs. The first seed was sown in Arequipa, Peru—a city nestled in the Andean foothills, thousands of miles away.

What started as a symbolic handshake between two distinct cities grew into something far deeper. The sisterhood between Charlotte and Arequipa is more than just a diplomatic tie. Together, the two sister cities have woven a story of cultural exchange, shared aspirations and global collaboration that continues today.

two men shaking hands while one holds a box

Arequipa City Council meeting in 1962 to formalize Sister City affiliation.

Arequipa: The White City Amidst the Andes

In the highlands of southern Peru, Arequipa sits at the foot of the towering Misti Volcano, surrounded by the Andes mountains. The city is often called “La Ciudad Blanca” or the White City because of its dazzling architecture made from white volcanic rock. Visitors of this Peruvian city are often struck by the timeless mix between the past and present.

Founded by the Spanish in 1540, Arequipa is often seen as Peru’s cultural capital. While its population is much smaller than the actual capital of Lima, Arequipa has slightly 1.2 million which is about 200 thousand more people than its sister city, Charlotte.

Arequipa is renowned for its local cuisine—such as rocoto relleno, a spicy stuffed pepper dish—and its lively festivals. The most popular festival is the Virgen de Chapi pilgrimage, one of the oldest religious ceremonies in Peru dating back to 1655. Arequipa is also home to one of the oldest Latin American universities. Universidad Nacional de San Agustín is a top-ranked public university, setting the standard for innovation and research. The city has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

So, how did a city hundreds of years old all the way in Peru end up wanting to connect with a young, growing North Carolina metropolitan? It all started with a desire to create stronger global relationships.

The Bridge Between Two Cities

Charlotte and Arequipa’s relationship started with humble beginnings. In 1956, President Eisenhower called for increased people-to-people cooperation based on citizen diplomacy initiatives. This started the Sister Cities program, and partnerships between cities in the United States and cities located around the world began to form.

In February 1962, Charlotte found its first sisterly match. Charlotte and Arequipa were assigned to each other through Eisenhower’s program, creating a bond that remains strong today. However, it wasn’t until 20 years later that this relationship would blossom. Under the guiding hand of two Arequipa residents who wanted others to experience more cultural exchanges with America, Eduardo and Graciela Bedoya, student exchange programs and cultural trips for local leaders became the norm.

An arequipa proclamation naming Charlotte its sister city

Official proclamation from Arequipa declaring Charlotte its sister city.

Sister city relationships foster exchanges in education, culture, business and technology. Both cities typically promote educational partnerships, with students and academic institutions collaborating on joint research and study abroad programs. Many sister city programs also focus on solving global challenges like sustainability and urbanization.

In the early 1980s, during one of the first exchanges between Charlotte and Arequipa, a doctor at the General Hospital of Arequipa welcomed Charlottean doctors to help treat tuberculosis in the city’s underserved communities. After visiting young towns and poorer areas on the outskirts of the city, where they saw students sitting on a dirt floor in their classroom, another group of Charlotte residents helped raise $30,000 to build four classrooms with better resources. During a service trip in Arequipa, Charlotte students installed solar panels at a school and led workshops to teach parents how they could install solar panels to help light their homes.

The beginnings of a school built in Arequipa in honor of Charlotte

Construction of a school called the Charlotte School in honor of the two cities' relationship.

However, it wasn’t just Charlotteans traveling to Peru for these cultural exchanges. Numerous delegations from Arequipa visited Charlotte, participating in academic programs and gaining a better understanding of life in the southeastern United States. In the 70s, Peruvian officials came to a council meeting to present gifts. Just in 2018, students from Colegio Prescott visited the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, performing traditional dances and learning more about our city.

A Global Legacy

As the years passed, the partnership between Charlotte and Arequipa blossomed into something deep and profound. What started as a diplomatic gesture transformed into an exchange of ideas and opportunities.

Charlotte and Arequipa, though separated by thousands of miles, found common ground through their commitment to growth, sustainability and cultural enrichment. While they aren’t united by geography, they share a spirit of collaboration. That spirit continues to shape their futures, both together and separately.

In many ways, the story of Charlotte and Arequipa mirrors the broader story of a connected world, where cities and cultures intertwine and people learn from one another. Our city hopes this bond will continue to be a testament to the power of connection, collaboration and the shared dream of a brighter future.

Charlotte’s Sister Cities list has since expanded. There are five additional sister cities:

Krefeld, Germany – May 23, 1985

Baoding, China – January 12, 1987

Limoges, France – July 27, 1992

Wrocław, Poland – September 5, 1993

Kumasi, Ghana – August 12, 1995