Shakira's Hometown Honor  11/16/06

Shakira has been honored in her Colombian hometown in the form of a 14.8 feet tall, six ton statue of her.

The superstar returned to the city of Barranquilla to perform last night (15NOV06) at a festive benefit concert she organized to raise money for an arts school for children displaced by civil war in the South American country.

The 28-year-old paid tribute to the city, saying, "Barranquilla is the big breast that fed and nurtured me as a human being, a woman and an artist.

"Returning is a chance to be with all the people from whom I learned and to pay homage to my roots."

The statue, which Shakira unveiled with her father, was made and donated by German fan, sculptor Dieter Patt.