Colombia-born, Grammy-winning singer Shakira has been honoured with a 6.5 meter (21 feet) bronze statue in her hometown, Barranquilla.

The city’s Mayor Jaime Pumarejo unveiled the 6.5 meter (21 foot) sculpture in a park along the banks of the Magdalena River on Tuesday in the company of the singer’s parents.

The statue by artist Yino Marquez “shows millions of girls that they can, that they can pursue their dreams and any of them can achieve what they want,” said Pumarejo, noting that he used to see Shakira sing at local children’s concerts.

The sculpture shows the long, curly-haired singer belly dancing with her arms overhead, in a sheer skirt with shiny aluminium decoration.

Shakira expressed bliss and said this was too much for her heart. “It makes me happy to share this with my parents and especially my mother on her birthday.”

“I’m very excited about this tribute to a Colombian woman and the Barranquilleras inside and outside my land.”