MIAMI.- Colombian singer Shakira shared the unveiling of a statue sculpted in her honor in her hometown. The sculpture measures 6.5 meters high, was made of bronze and more than 30 people participated in its manufacture.
The monumental piece is located on the banks of the Magdalena River and was made by the artist Yino Márquez.
“A heart that composes, hips that do not lie, an unmatched talent, a voice that moves masses and feet that march for the good of children and humanity,” wrote Jaime Pumero, mayor of Barranquilla in his X account together with a video showing the moment of the unveiling.
The statue depicts Shakira dancing her signature belly dance, while her curly hair falls over her face. The sphinx also wears a skirt made of aluminum and whose end symbolizes the waves of the sea and the river that surrounds the city; while her arms in the air represent the transcendence of the artist.
His parents, Nidia Ripoll and William Mebarak Chadid, attended the event.
The plaque that accompanies the work reads: “On February 2, 1977, Barranquilla was born to the world: A heart that composes, hips that do not lie, an unmatched talent, a voice that moves masses and bare feet that march through the good of childhood and humanity. Sculpture of Shakira cast in bronze, 6.50 meters high, performing her iconic belly dance. The end of her aluminum skirt symbolizes the waves of the sea and the river. Her arms raised and hands intertwined vertically they represent the scope of transcendence”.
Shakira’s reaction
Although the Barranquilla woman was not present, she spoke about it on social networks. Shakira said she felt grateful for being able to share the special moment with her parents.
“It makes me happy to share this with my parents and especially with my mother on her birthday,” he wrote in a series of photographs he shared on Instagram.
Likewise, the mayor of the town emphasized that the sculpture will make the people of Barranquilla feel more proud of their origin and the impact of the singer-songwriter.
“With this sculpture, Barranquilla residents will feel more proud of our cultural reference, closer to her, and she will receive a tribute from the city that she loves so much,” said Jaime Pumarejo Heins.
