Barranquilla is getting ready for its 2025 Carnival, the most celebrated cultural event in Colombia, with a special tribute to Colombian artist Shakira, winner of GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY® awards.
This year, the festival adopts the iconic phrase from the global superstar of their hit “Hips Don’t Lie” - “In Barranquilla, they dance like this” as its official slogan, paying tribute to its enduring connection with its hometown.
To kick off the celebration, a meeting was held on January 11 at the Shakira statue in Barranquilla, where the official image of this year’s Carnival was presented. Adding more excitement, Shakira’s world tour, “Women Don’t Cry Anymore,” will make a highly anticipated stop in Barranquilla.
When asked about her tribute, Shakira said: “This tribute touches my heart as a woman from Barranquilla and fills me with pride. It is an honor and a joy to be part of this in this way. Since I was born, I have always felt very proud of being from Barranquilla and I always will. Because that’s what we do here. Celebrate life. And above all, we celebrate that we know how to celebrate! Let’s spread this energy to the whole world! Long live Carnival, long live Barranquilla, long live its culture and its people. Let’s show once again that in Barranquilla we dance like this! I love you.”
The tour begins on February 11 in Brazil and continues through Latin America, with stops in Peru, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and Mexico, before arriving in the United States on May 13. Their performance in Barranquilla on February 20 and 21 will not only celebrate their international success, but also pay tribute to the cultural heritage that has inspired much of their work.
The slogan “In Barranquilla, they dance like this” reflects the energy and spirit of the city, which Shakira captured in her global hit from 2005. The song, inspired by the rhythms of Colombian cumbia, celebrates the vibrant dance and music traditions that are at the heart of the Carnival. Its music video further highlights the culture of Barranquilla, featuring traditional costumes, dances, and an unmistakable pride in the city’s rich heritage.
Under the leadership of Mayor Alejandro Char, the 2025 edition of the Carnival aims to showcase the diversity and creativity of Barranquilla.
“In Barranquilla, dance is not just a rhythmic movement; it is our way of speaking to the world. Here, every hip movement tells stories of carnival traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. Barranquilla is a city where music is lived, rhythm is breathed, and joy is felt in every corner. Here, our children learn to dance before they learn to walk, and this is a tradition that we proudly pass on to all generations,” expressed Mayor Char.
Recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity for over 20 years, the Barranquilla Carnival brings together a variety of traditional and modern influences. This year’s festivities will feature traditional dances such as Cumbia, Garabato, and Mapalé, along with contemporary genres like salsa, champeta, and urban rhythms, creating a vibrant celebration of cultural fusion.
With Shakira’s deep connection to Barranquilla and her global influence, the 2025 Carnival promises to be a powerful showcase of the city’s identity and traditions, bringing its culture to the world stage like never before.