Shakira Honoured With 21-foot Bronze Statue In Colombia

A massive bronze statue of the Grammy Award-winning singer Shakira has been unveiled in her hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia. She is one of the best-selling musicians in the world. The statue depicts Shakira in her iconic belly-dancing posture from her popular song, Hips Don’t Lie. The singer’s parents were present when the 6.5 metre (21 foot) sculpture was revealed on Tuesday in a park near the banks of the Magdalena River by the city’s mayor, Jaime Pumarejo. The sculpture shows the long, curly haired singer belly dancing with her arms overhead, in a sheer skirt with shiny aluminium decoration. A plaque below praises Shakira, saying, “A heart that composes, hips that don’t lie, an unmatched talent, a voice that moves the masses and bare feet that march for the good of children and humanity,”

The sculpture’s creator, Yino Márquez, expressed his happiness with the reaction of the public and Shakira’s family to it, following its unveiling on Tuesday. He claimed that the singer’s mother had informed him that God would reward him for his skill as a sculptor. According to him, Shakira’s son also said that it was the best sculpture he had ever seen along with the singer herself personally calling him to say that he had captured her essence to the spirit.The 52-year-old sculptor said that since he was sixteen, he had been creating sculptures. He is an academic coordinator at the public art academy in Barranquilla and has created enormous statues for various Colombian cities.

Shakira released a statement saying, “I am honoured and moved by this incredible recognition in my Barranquilla, the city where I was born. Since I was a young child, every barranquillero and barranquillera has inspired me and been my brother and sister.”

Shakira, who currently resides primarily in Miami, was born in Barranquilla and has remained in close contact with the city. She has funded multiple schools, established a foundation to advance early childhood education in Colombia, and pays multiple return visits to her city each year.