Shakira responds to the honor of receiving a sizable statue in her Colombian hometown

December 27, 2023

Shakira has been commemorated with a magnificent statue in her native Colombia. Recently, on Tuesday, December 26th, the internationally renowned artist unveiled a substantial bronze statue erected in her hometown of Barranquilla.

The statue, portraying Shakira in the midst of one of her iconic dance moves, was crafted by artist Yino Márques. The singer expressed her gratitude for the honor on Instagram, where she also shared images of her parents standing beside the bronze likeness.

“It makes me happy to share this with my parents and especially my mother on her birthday,” Next to a picture of her parents, William Mebarak Chadid and Nidia Ripoll Torrado, Shakira wrote. She proceeded to post additional photos featuring her parents, brothers, and the Mayor of Barranquilla, along with a close-up shot of the plaque positioned beneath the statue. “Oh and this dedication. This is too much for my little heart,”Shakira expressed in her post.

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Part of the dedication, translated to English, reads, “A heart that composes, hips that speak truth, unparalleled talent, a voice that mobilizes the masses, and bare feet that march for the good of childhood and humanity.”

In a subsequent post, Shakira added, “I’m thrilled about this tribute to Colombian women and the Barranquilleras both within and beyond my homeland!” The video showcased the Mayor and her parents alongside the statue, as well as interviews with fans and residents of Barranquilla conducted by local news stations.

Earlier this year, Shakira was honored with the 2023 Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards in September, receiving further acclaim.

Written by: MJ