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Colombian music superstar Shakira has revealed that her upcoming Madrid residency extends beyond a typical concert series, instead serving as a deliberate response to the discrimination facing Latino communities globally. In an opinion piece published by El País, the artist explained that witnessing persecution and fear experienced by Latino families worldwide prompted her to channel her emotions into an affirmative celebration of Latin culture.
Shakira emphasized that rather than respond to prejudice with anger alone, she chose to create what she described as the most expansive celebration imaginable. She specifically highlighted Spain as the ideal location for this project, noting that the country demonstrates genuine appreciation for Latin American immigration and culture, fostering an environment where Latino contributions have enriched society with increased creativity and vibrancy.
The residency will take place at a specially constructed venue within Madrid’s Iberdrola Music complex, capable of hosting over 50,000 attendees nightly. Beyond the performance space itself, organizers are developing an extensive cultural complex spanning thirty acres, featuring more than one hundred participating artists. The ambitious project will include exhibitions, educational sessions, workshops, and dining experiences celebrating Latino heritage, drawing inspiration from Gabriel García Márquez’s fictional town of Macondo.
The Madrid residency runs from September 18 through October 11, representing a significant expansion of Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran world tour into a comprehensive cultural celebration.
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Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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