Shakira returned to her homeland and sparked euphoria in Barranquilla. The singer arrived in Colombia with her children, Sasha and Milan, to kick off the two most anticipated concerts of her tour Las mujeres ya no lloran at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez. With unmatched warmth, Shakira was welcomed by a crowd of fans and local media eagerly awaiting her arrival.
The singer arrived from Lima, where she delivered a memorable performance after recovering from abdominal pain that required a brief hospitalization. Upon her arrival at Ernesto Cortissoz Airport in Barranquilla, Shakira appeared excited and expressed her happiness to return to her hometown. "I'm happy to be in my homeland and ready to give my very best," she declared to the cameras.
This visit not only marks Shakira's return to Colombian stages but also her fifth performance in Barranquilla since she began her career. The first time was in 1996 with her Pies descalzos tour, followed by Tour de la mangosta in 2003, Fijación oral in 2006, and the opening of the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2018.
The artist arrived just in time to join the pre-Carnival celebrations in Barranquilla, one of Colombia's most important cultural events. The concerts, scheduled for this Thursday and Friday, are expected to gather more than 52,000 people each night. Tickets are already sold out, confirming the local audience's devotion to the international star.
The stage setup has been a monumental production. More than 2,000 people worked on preparing a platform 60 meters wide by 12 meters high, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, light shows, and pyrotechnic effects. Producer and pianist Albert Meléndez, part of the tour's musical team, assured that "without a doubt, this show will be very special in her homeland."
The anticipation in Barranquilla is palpable. The city's mayor, Alejandro Char, visited the Metropolitano stadium during the preparations and shared his excitement on social media: "The Metro is almost ready to see you shine at home, Shakira, and the people of Barranquilla are counting the minutes for this unique moment."
Besides the cultural impact, local authorities celebrate the economic boost these concerts will bring to the city. The event is expected to generate a significant increase in hotel, gastronomic, and commercial activity.
With her children Sasha and Milan joining her on this tour, Shakira also expressed her excitement about being able to share her return to Barranquilla with them, allowing them to learn more about their roots. "It's special to return home and for my children to see where I come from," the artist stated.
