Published on 28/12/2023
In her Caribbean hometown of Barranquilla, Colombian music sensation Shakira was celebrated with the unveiling of a 6.5-meter statue on Tuesday.
The impressive bronze and aluminum sculpture depicts the singer in a bikini top and flowing skirt, capturing one of her iconic dance moves, hands clasped over her head, and one hip jutting out.
The inscription at the base pays tribute to one of Shakira’s hit songs, “Hips Don’t Lie,” stating, “Hips that do not lie, a unique talent, a voice that moves masses.”
Tourists and locals alike expressed their admiration for the monument, with one visitor, Juan Francisco Peña, stating, “Excellent. A nice monument. It is a good representation of Shakira for our country. Very proud of her.”
Another tourist from Bogotá, Milena Garzon, emphasized the importance of highlighting individuals like Shakira who represent Colombia on the global stage.
The unveiling ceremony, held on the banks of the Magdalena River, was attended by Shakira’s parents, William Mebarak and Nidia Ripoll. The singer expressed gratitude to sculptor Yino Marquez and his art student collaborators during the event, acknowledging the remarkable artistic talent of her fellow countrymen.
Tourist Daniel Paulman from Houston praised the design, stating, “It’s beautiful. I love whoever designed it, they did a great job. It really represents her details, of course, the way she’s dancing. It’s an honor for the city of Barranquilla.”
Shakira, known for her global impact and around 80 million albums sold worldwide, stands as an icon of Latina girl power with three Grammy Awards to her name. Despite her musical success, recent attention has focused on her legal matters, including an investigation into unpaid taxes in Spain and the settlement of millions of euros.
On X platform, the singer thanked sculptor Yino Marquez and his art student collaborators for “this example of the enormous artistic talent of the people of my country”.
