Vladikavkaz, Russia

Population: 309,173

Area: 112 sq mi

Leadership: 

Vladikavkaz became our first sister city in 1990 and is located in the Caucasus Mountains of Southern Russia.

For more information on this Sister City or if you would like to get involved, please email the committee chair, Constance Richards at ashevillesisercities@gmail.com

  • An industrial and metallurgical center
  • Founded in 1784 as a fortress during Russian conquest

Past Projects

  • In the mid-nineties, Asheville sent a “Carload of Caring” with 15,000 pounds of food, medical supplies, clothing and blankets to families in Vladikavkaz.
  • Publishers from a Russian newspaper organization came to Asheville to study all the aspects of a newspaper business, thanks to a grant from the USAID.
  • In 2004, following the hostage crisis in Beslan, Asheville Sister Cities raised funds and gathered condolences and letters of friendship from students, adults and children to take to Besland. The late Vadim Bora, a prominent member of Asheville’s arts community and a native of Vladikavkaz, was able to personally deliver the aid with his wife Constance E. Richards, chair of the Vladikavkaz Committee.
  • In 2005, ASCI delegates visited with the mayors of both Beslan and Vladikavkaz and worked with a local organization to distribute funds to individual families still in need of further medical care.
    During 2006 and 2007 the Vladikavkaz Committee hosted two groups of young educators from Vladikavkaz with a grant from the Open World Program. The visiting delegations were comprised of arts educators, who spent eight days in the community visiting arts management enterprises and teaching institutions.
  • In 2009/2010, in conjunction with Vadim Bora Studio-Gallery, the Vladikavkaz Committee gathered 120 pieces of children’s art from four different schools in Vladikavkaz for the Sister Cities International exhibition with the theme “Me and My Family.” An opening was held at ASCI offices, and two receptions were held at Vadim Bora Studio-Gallery. Proceeds from sales of the student art went towards buying art supplies for students. Individual letters were sent from the collectors to the student artists. Each student artist received an award from ASCI and the Gallery.