Javier Bardem is one of the most famous actors in Spanish film history. Born into a family with many film writers, directors and actors, this Spanish actor has become a world-class movie star. Bardem has also won several awards: five "Best Actor" awards and an Oscar nomination for "Best Actor.

• Javier Bardem is one of the most famous Spanish actors and very important in Spanish film history. He has won numerous awards including an Academic Award, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and five GOYA awards.
• Actually, Bardem's dream was to become an artist, so he did a four-year course in painting at the "Escuela de Artes y Oficios" in Madrid. To pay for this, Bardem took any acting job he was asked for.
• Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz starred together in the 1992 film "Jamón, Jamón. Now they are married and have two children.

Javier Bardem was born on the island of Gran Canaria in 1969. Because his parents divorced shortly after his birth, Bardem was raised by his mother who worked as an actress. His grandparents, Matilde Sampredo and Rafael Bardem were also both actors and his uncle Juan Antonio Bardem worked as a screenwriter and director. With such a family, it is no surprise that Bardem rolled into the film industry. Yet a career as an actor was not his dream, and despite his success, he did not give up on his dream of becoming an artist. He trained at art school in Madrid before still focusing on acting.

Bardem began acting at age six, with a role he had in the film 'El Picaro' in 1974. After his role in Bigas Luna's film "The Ages of Lulu," the director made the decision to cast Bardem for the film "Jamón Jamón" in 1992. This proved to be a good decision, as the film became a great international success after which Bardem also got a role in Luna's next film, "Golden Balls. In 2004 he starred in the moving film Mar Adentro "The Sea Inside," in which he played a man paralyzed from the neck down who had to live with it for 29 years, while wishing for euthanasia himself. For this film, Bardem was honored with the Award for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. Of all the films Javier Bardem has played in, two stand out; 'No Country for Old Men,' for which he won the Oscar for 'Best Supporting Actor' in 2007 by playing a psychopathic killer, and secondly one of the greatest film productions in history 'Skyfall.' His 2012 portrayal of the "badass" Raoul Silva in the James Bond film "Skyfall," earned Bardem a BAFTA, an award from the British Academy of Film and Television. Skyfall is considered by many to be the best film in the Bond series.

The Spanish actor has received almost every possible award and continues to be involved in highly successful film projects. He even received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012. In his private life, he is known to be a big fan of heavy metal music and is fluent in English. In 2007, Bardem began dating Penelope Cruz during the filming of the movie "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," in which they both starred. The couple married in 2010 and have a son and a daughter. 

Source cover image: Wikipedia

Hawaii and Brazil are of course known as the surf destinations of South America, but Peru should not be forgotten for surf vacations. The coast of Peru offers waves for surfers of all levels: beginners, advanced and experts. Constant winds from the far south create high waves on Peru's numerous surf beaches.

• Surfing used to be for the richer people of Peru and was hardly paid attention to. Nowadays, newspapers are full of it and Peru even has its own surfing program on national TV: 'Surf Peru'.
• Peru sponsors and organizes many international surf events making the country increasingly popular as a surfing destination.
• Every summer the beaches are filled with children, youth, adults and sometimes pets surfing.

Since ancient times, surfing has been important in Peru. The first Peruvian settlers were already trying to fish through surfing! In addition, a few world surfing champions come from Peru. In 2004 Sofía Mulánovich became the female surfing world champion and in 2007 Luis Miguel, aka "Magoo," won the World Masters Surfing Championship and then Christobal de Col became the world youth surfing champion. Because of these successes, surfing is very popular among Peruvians. Long ago, surfing was only done by the "elite," but today it is an activity that anyone can do.

Peru's most famous surf spot is "Máncora." This beach is located on the northern coast of Peru and has the largest "left hand point break" in the world. It is also home to the world's largest wave, the "Chicama," which is over 4 km long. And in "Pica Alto" you will find the highest surf waves in South America, as much as 4 meters! Since 2007, the beaches of Máncora have also been used for professional competitions and championships. Because of this, there are many tourist attractions here such as surf stores and schools, restaurants and accommodations. Many spectators also come to watch the professional surfing. Tour operators therefore offer many surf vacations in Peru.

Peru has so much to offer as a travel destination, but often surfing is forgotten during a vacation to Peru. That while surfing is an important aspect of Peruvian life. Chicama has been included in the top 10 surf vacations by Surfer Magazine, so if you have a chance to take a surf lesson there, definitely do it! 

Its mild climate, beautiful coastline, diverse marine life, rich history and unique cultures make the Mediterranean Sea one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. The Mediterranean covers an area of over 2.5 million km² and is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Strait of Gibraltar, between Spain and North Africa. The sea gives as many as 21 countries a beautiful coastline, making them very interesting destinations to seek the adventure of the Mediterranean. Moreover, do not miss the 23 beautiful islands of the Mediterranean, including Ibiza and Mallorca. A wide variety of countries, vast coastlines, beaches of unparalleled beauty and a mild climate make the Mediterranean a true paradise for adventure activities and sports.

Cruises

There are numerous companies offering cruises across the Mediterranean. They usually last from 3 to 14 days. The itineraries mainly pass through a number of important ports, where you can find traces and remains of ancient civilizations and exotic cultures. Mediterranean cruises can be divided into three categories: East Mediterranean cruises, West Mediterranean cruises and South Mediterranean cruises. Choose a West Mediterranean cruise to discover Spanish culture. The cruise ships often dock in Valencia, Barcelona or Mallorca.

Diving

The Mediterranean has many perfect diving sites. The water has a pleasant temperature ranging from 14°C to 24°C and shows a wide variety of flora and fauna. The Strait of Gibraltar, in southern Spain, is narrow and shallow, making it perfect for diving.

In the Mediterranean there are many places where you can find excellent diving for reef and shipwrecks. For those who want to combine this, Torrevieja in Spain is the perfect place. Other wonderful diving destinations in Spain are the Canary Islands, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and the Balearic Islands.

Surf

Abundant beaches with big waves make the Mediterranean Sea a wonderful destination for surfers. Big waves can be found in the north, in the Cantabrian Sea. That's also where the name "Bay of Biscay" comes from. On the coast of the Mediterranean, however, there are also some great spots for surfing. For example, take a look at these beaches: El Bogatell, El Castell, Morro de Gos, Playa Fiesta, Torrevieja and, perhaps the most famous, Playa del Voramar in Benicasim!

The best place in the Mediterranean to spot whales and dolphins is: the Strait of Gibraltar, the gateway to the Mediterranean. The cold waters of the northern hemisphere and the warm, tropical waters meet here, creating a perfect place to observe migrating whales. The best place for this in Spain is probably Tarifa, where you can see species such as bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin, striped dolphin, pilot whale, sperm whale, and orcas.

Cycling Sports

There are many companies dedicated to cycling in the Mediterranean. Routes from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and from coastlines to mountains, there is a little bit of everything. There are also routes with different themes, such as Mediterranean gastronomy and many others!

Kayaking

The Mediterranean is a great place to get acquainted with kayaking! Many kayaking routes are combined with hiking trails so you can do excellent scenic exploration. Sardinia, Malta and Tunisia are the best kayaking spots in the Mediterranean. Another, great place to kayak is on the Catalan coast in Spain, where you will see the most beautiful cliffs, rock openings, caves and much more! In the south of Spain is Andalusia, another great place for water adventures. Go to Tarifa, for example, where you can kayak, canoe or raft. Moreover, there are many tour operators on the Costa Blanca that will make sure your kayaking, canoeing or rafting adventure will be amazing!

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is a popular sport, so what could be better than practicing it in the Mediterranean? Israel and Turkey offer tours and trails along the Mediterranean, but for those seeking an authentic Mediterranean adventure, Spain is a must because of its pure Andalusian thoroughbred horse. Spain also has a rich equestrian history and there is a wide range of equestrian trails to choose from. For breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, however, we recommend Catalonia, where many of the adventure tours offer two days of horseback riding on the beach.

The Mediterranean is a beautiful cruising area rich in history and cultural values. Sailors from all over the world come to the Mediterranean to sail near the Greek Islands, Turkey, Sardinia, the French Riviera, the coastline of Spain and the Balearic Islands.

Alejandro Amenábar is a widely respected film director and prominent artistic personality in the Spanish speaking world; over the span of his career in the film industry, Amenábar has been the recipient of multiple awards, including a European film award and 8 Goya Awards. His passion for film manifests in the personal edge Amenábar brings to his works, having composed nearly every soundtrack to each of his 6 Spanish films, and having written the screenplays himself in addition.

• Amenábar, one of the most talented and diverse Spanish film directors in modern times, has dual nationality; his mother is Spanish and his father Chilean.
• Between the years 1991 and 1994, Alejandro made 4 short films which laid the foundations for the full length films which were to follow.

Alejandro Amenábar’s interests in culture and narrative can be traced back to his childhood; it is said he dedicated much of his leisure time to reading stories, writing his own, going to the cinema or composing his own music. These experiences no doubt heightened his thirst for a creative outlet, and sharpened an already expansive imagination. The initial short films Alejandro produced were Himenoptero, La Cabeza and Luna. Indeed, it was one of these short films which sparked a series of events propelling Amenábar onto the landscape of Spanish film; on receiving a copy of the script for Himenoptero, Jose Luis Cuerda became interested in Alejandro’s work, and this quickly led to him taking on the role of producer for the 1996 film Thesis, undoubtedly one of his most famous and iconic films. His next film was Abre los Ojos in 1997, which enjoyed particular success at both the Tokyo film festival and that in Berlin. However, this film is known to most film fans as Vanilla Sky, with Tom Cruise having adapted and produced it after purchasing the rights on noting its potential.

Amenábar showcased his diversity as a film producer when he directed the iconic horror film The Others, which starred internationally renowned actress Nicole Kidman. This film was extremely successful in Spain, being the most watched film of the year, and similarly in the USA, where it remained amongst the top few films at the Box Office for a period of several weeks. The Others had its premiere in 2001 at the Venice Film Festival, winning a grand total of 8 Goya awards, including Best Director and Best Movie. Another of Amenábar’s most famous, and certainly most touching, pieces is known in English as The Sea Inside or Mar Adentro, which narrates the moving story of quadriplegic Ramón Sampedro, and addresses polemical issues including abortion and the film’s most prominent theme: euthanasia. Amongst an extensive list of Goya awards, Mar Adentro also claimed the Academy Award in 2004 for Best Foreign Language Film. 4 years later in 2008, Amenábar released the most expensive piece in Spanish film history, Agora, which had a budget of 50 million Euros. Aside from his own works, Alejandro is also known for his composition of the soundtrack for La lengua de las mariposas or Butterfly’s Tongue. 

Tenerife is known for its beautiful beaches and the always nice weather. Located next to the coast of Morocco, near the equator, this island is the ideal place for a sun vacation. With an average temperature between 18 and 25 degrees, Tenerife is also known as "the land of eternal spring. With an abundance of coral reefs, cave and wreck dives and a sea temperature of over 20 degrees, Tenerife is the ideal location for a diving vacation in Europe.

• Tenerife is one of the best places in Europe for diving. You can dive to various shipwrecks, underwater animals and caves.
•  With Tenerife's pleasant climate, the island is very popular all year round.
• don Quijote now combines Spanish courses with diving courses in Tenerife!

The best diving destinations are often far outside Europe. Think Thailand, Mexico, Egypt and Australia. Even though the water in Europe is not as clear, you won't find fish like Nemo or colorful coral reefs, there are some special diving spots to be found in Europe.  Tenerife is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for diving vacations. Because Tenerife is an island, there are plenty of exciting, interesting and fun diving spots to be found.

The island of Tenerife has plenty of great places to (scuba) dive. Scuba means "Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus" and is the international term for the compressed air apparatus. Scuba diving and regular diving are both possible on the island. Wherever you stay, there is always a dive spot nearby. Surely the most popular spot is El Puertito. Here you can get your first diving license and the water is up to 12 meters deep, so no experience is required. At El Puertito you will encounter a few underwater animals such as parrotfish, turtles and octopus. Las Vistas is also very popular among beginners. Again, you don't need any experience and you can dive up to 12 meters deep. Las Vistas is very popular for its night diving. Here you can spot scorpion fish, stingrays and also octopuses.

For wreck diving, El Condesito is the place to be. Here you can dive to the wreckage of the ship Condesito. The diving area is as deep as 30 meters, but no diving experience is required. At El Meridian you can find wreck pieces of the ship Meridian and the special thing about this wreck is that the ship remained almost unchanged. However, diving experience is required here. Among experienced divers, the spots El Meridian and the Cueva de las Morenas are very popular. At both spots you can dive up to 30 meters deep. In addition, the spot Cueva de las Morenas is very special because there is a cross and a statue of the Virgin Carmen around the bottom. This should remind divers in Tenerife not to dive recklessly.

There are plenty of diving schools in Tenerife to suit all tastes. For a beginning diver a basic lesson costs about 60 to 70 euros and a first course, the PADI Open Water course of 3 to 4 days costs about 350 euros. It is also possible to spend a day snorkeling which costs about 30 euros. In Tenerife you can also combine a Spanish course with a diving course. This way you do two things in one! For diving enthusiasts, Tenerife is the ideal place in Europe. Nice and close, always a good temperature and beautiful and exciting diving spots.

Oaxaca is one of the largest cities in Mexico, and is the capital of the state of the same name. It is a city that is particularly popular for its diverse traditions and cultures, as well as its historical past. Oaxaca is also especially famous for its food, indeed it has been hailed as “Mexico’s culinary capital”.

• One of the most exciting cities in Mexico, Oaxaca enjoys a mixture of indigenous and colonial cultures

• With numerous historic sites and a World Heritage Site within its walls, Oaxaca, Mexico has some of the most beautiful pre- and post-colonial relics to be found in Mexico

The site of Oaxaca has been inhabited by indigenous populations for centuries, and following the Spanish conquest in 1521 the city itself began to be built. A Spanish commander arrived with some Aztecs who constructed the first houses and churches, and they began to build the cathedral in 1522. From this point there were several disputes between Hernán Cortes, who lead the conquest of Mexico, and those that settled in Oaxaca; indigenous and Europeans alike. Following these disputes, it was not until 1532 that King Charles of Spain declared Oaxaca as a city to be ruled by the Spanish monarchy directly, rather than Cortes; this was deemed a huge victory for the population of the city as they were able to retain the traditions and architecture that today make Oaxaca so special. Mexico gained its independence from the Spanish in 1821, and naturally Oaxaca gained its independence at the same time.

Today, Oaxaca is one of the most popular cities in Mexico for tourists. Typically it is most popular in the summer, thanks to the temperate weather, but due to its location near the equator, Oaxaca has a pleasant climate all year round and attracts tourists in all seasons. It was named a Cultural Heritage of Humanity city by UNESCO, thanks to its innumerable historic and culturally important buildings.

Some of the most notable sites in Oaxaca are the Plaza de la Constitución where you can sit in a café and enjoy traditional Oaxacan foods. Similarly, the pre-colonial city of Monte Albán is particularly famous, as it houses artefacts from thousands of years ago. This ancient city was also named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Oaxaca itself. The Plaza de le Danza y Jardín Socrates is also very popular. With beautiful gardens in the centre of the city where artists often go to display their work, and a square that hosts dances and festivals, it is a particularly bustling area and very popular with tourists.

The culinary scene in Oaxaca is particularly famous. The Mercado 20 de Noviembre (20^th November Market) is well known for its food products that are made freshly every day and showcase Oaxacan cuisine; moles (traditional Mexican sauces), chapulines (fried grasshopper) and pan de yema (egg bread). Much of the food in Oaxaca is influenced by indigenous and Spanish recipes, while it also has connections to the religious and family-oriented nature of Mexican culture. Tables are often put down the middle of the street, usually on Sundays and Holy Days, and the whole community comes together to celebrate; the traditional Oaxacan dishes feature greatly on these feast days. 

Andalusia is the largest region in southern Spain. The region has 8 provinces, each of which has its own capital city. Well-known cities in Andalusia are Seville, Málaga, Cadiz, Cordoba and Granada. Many Moorish influences can be found in the region because the Moors used to rule here. Andalusia is best known for its warm climate and many hours of sunshine. There are plenty of different things to do; lie on the beach, visit beautiful cultural cities, relax, eat tapas, enjoy flamenco, and of course not to forget: Andalusia has a vibrant nightlife.  The nightlife most characterizes the Andalusian region for its versatility and is akin to the enchanting Arabian atmosphere.  

• Spanish nightlife usually starts after 00.00, after late dinner and drinks, and often continues until after sunrise.
• Because there are many Moorish influences in Andalusia, the nightlife is akin to the romantic '1001 and one night' atmosphere. '
• Andalusia's nightlife certainly has a different atmosphere from the rest of Spain and has something for everyone. Reasons enough to discover Andalusia's nightlife!

In general, nightlife in Spain is very popular and often takes some getting used to for tourists from northern Europe. In fact, nightlife in Spain often continues until after dawn. Spanish nightlife begins with having aperitifs in restaurants and bars, followed by a late dinner. With friends, you then go to a bar or discotheque where there is partying late into the night. For the diehards, there are then bars and clubs that are open all night, or visit an after-hours or morning club. And to finish, the next morning, have a nice breakfast of churros and chocolate.

In Andalusia, nightlife is not very different, but due to the province's versatility, there is plenty to do. For tourists unfamiliar with Spanish or Andalusian nightlife, going out is an odd and perhaps strange experience. People in Andalusia go out late for a drink with a tapa and then continue partying until the early hours. In Seville and Granada the nightlife goes on all year round because of the many Spanish and international students who live there, but on the coast there is more liveliness in the summer. In Marbella and Torremolinos there are many bars, restaurants and nightclubs. In summer these places are full of tourists which gives a cozy atmosphere.

Andalusia's nightlife is very broad so there is always something for everyone. Inhabiting a flamenco performance in Seville, checking out a student band in cozy Granada, sipping a cocktail at a beach bar with a relaxed surf atmosphere on the Costa de Luz or heading to elegant Marbella where you can spend around 50 euros for a round. For gambling lovers there is also plenty to do in Andalusia, why not spend a night at the casino. Andalusia's nightlife is very much divided into different regions. These regions often have their own age groups and styles, so there is something for everyone!

Southern Spain - Sherry, Flamenco and Horses

Jerez de La Frontera is located in southern Spain, in the province of Cadiz in Andalusia. About 100 kilometers from Seville and 40 kilometers from the city of Cadiz lies this beautiful city world-famous for its sherry, horses and flamenco. The word Jerez is the English corruption of the word Sherry, hence the name "Sherry City. Walking the streets of the city, the smell of sherry permeates the whitewashed walls of the wineries. This is why Jerez is the undisputed purveyor of this aperitif wine.

• The sherry city of Jerez de la Frontera is not only known for its sherry, horses and flamenco also characterize the city.
• Jerez de la Frontera is a real festival city. It starts in March with the flamenco festival "Festival de Jerez. For horse lovers, there is the big horse festival 'Feria de Cabello' in May. There is also the 'Campeonato de Motociclismo de Jerez,' the World Motor GP Championship, which attracts as many as a hundred thousand visitors.

This hot-blooded Spanish city has an interesting past: it served in the Middle Ages as the border between the Christian north and the Islamic south of Andalusia. Hence the addition "de la Frontera" meaning "on the border. The region of Jerez literally and figuratively exudes sherry. The soil of the area around the city contains a lot of lime. This white chalk layer holds water in the summer and reflects the sun, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly. The "Vino de Jerez," the Spanish name for sherry, dates back to 1100 B.C., making it as much as 3,000 years old! Now there are as many as 20 sherry producers based in the city, including the well-known Tío Pepe and Sandeman.  

Jerez de la Frontera is not only known for its sherry. Jerez, according to many, is the birthplace of flamenco. Although Andalusia has produced great flamenco artists, the official school is in Jerez de la Frontera. The city also invented the "Buleria," belonging to flamenco, one of the most important flamenco inventions. Much of this dance can be seen during the Festival de Jerez, known as the most influential flamenco festival of any Spanish city. Everyone who means anything in the flamenco world attends this annual festival in March.

Besides sherry and flamenco, the city has another pride: horses. The world-famous horse breed "Cartujano" is one of the oldest and purest horse breeds in the world. The famous Horse Academy is also located in Jerez de la Frontera. Your visit to Jerez is not complete until you have attended a training session or performance! For true horse lovers, in May there is the Feria del Caballo, a horse festival where proud Andalusian riders show off their horses. Of a completely different order is World Motor GP which takes place every year on the Jerez de La Frontera circuit. This event attracts more than150,000 visitors each year and is counted among the largest sporting events in Spain.

Jerez de la Frontera is characterized by its sherry, flamenco and horses. In addition, the city has much to offer the vacationer: art, culture, gastronomy and sports activities. The city is surrounded by two natural parks, so it is also a pleasant place for nature lovers. The city has an airport just a half-hour drive from Jerez. During your vacation in Andalusia, do not forget to taste a glass of Sherry from Jerez!

Butterfly's Tongue

Known in English as Butterfly’s Tongue or more simply Butterfly, La Lengua de Las Mariposas focuses on life in Galician Spain just prior to the Spanish Civil War. Although not one of director’s, José Luis Cuerda, most famous films, this film, which is portrayed through the eyes of a young child, depicts the events while showing the struggles that families were faced with at the time.

• Released in 1999 but set in pre-Civil War Galicia in 1936, La Lengua de Las Mariposas is still a very popular Spanish film today, constantly provoking much discussion
• José Luis Cuerda’s film is based on several short stories by Manuel Rivas; this Spanish movie received critical acclaim and won a Goya Award in 2000 for best adapted screenplay

José Luis Cuerda based his film on Manuel Rivas’ short stories "Carmiña", "Un saxo na néboa", and "A lingua das bolboretas" from the book Qué me quieres, mi amor? Rivas is one of the most prolific authors in Galicia and Spain as a whole, and his book Qué me quieres, mi amor? enjoyed much success and has been translated into nine languages.

The story of La Lengua de Las Mariposas follows Moncho, a young boy, and how he grows up and matures, all set against the back-drop of the impending Civil War between the Republicans and the Nationalists. At the start of the film the audience learns that Moncho has been unable to attend school due to an illness, and he is incredibly anxious about his impending attendance. The first day is not successful, and ends with him running into the woods in fright. Nevertheless, throughout the rest of the film we see Moncho mature as he builds a relationship with his teacher, Don Gregorio.

The audience sees Don Gregorio telling Moncho things about the world and imparting his Republican ideals on the boy, albeit indirectly. Moncho’s father is strongly Republican as well, while his mother worries about the impact that that may have in light of the upcoming war, especially as she has more Nationalist tendencies. The end of the film shows Don Gregorio being taken away by the Nationalists, while Moncho’s mother implores her family to shout at the Republicans in a bid to prevent them from being taken away too. While Moncho’s father breaks down crying because he is disregarding his beliefs, he shouts in accordance with his wife and Moncho throws stones at the retreating van. He does, however, shout espiritrompa, meaning butterfly’s tongue – a world he learnt from Don Gregorio, to show that he does not truly believe in what he is yelling.

Many critics believe that this Spanish film is significant in several ways. Firstly, although there is no violence throughout the film, the presence of Nationalist soldiers in several scenes, as well as the numerous allusions to Republican ideals, show that the threat is imminent, yet life must go on. Secondly, critics suggest that this film is important in showing the strength and importance of family, as the mother does all she can – including asking her husband to contradict his beliefs – in an effort to keep the family together. Whatever varying critics say, La Lengua de Las Mariposas is a thought-provoking film, and the Best Original Screenplay Goya Award in 2000 is testament to this.

She is a world singer of Colombian descent and has won many hits, titles and awards thanks to her varied repertoire. Her songs are a mix of Latin pop, pop rock, pop, dance and merengue. She is known for her smooth moves that she performs with ease during one of her live shows and in her music videos. She owes the body that many envy in part to her "trademark": belly dancing. In addition, she often performs barefoot, something that also characterizes her. She is in a relationship with famous Spanish soccer player Gerard Piqué and together they have two children. Also take a look at the stormy life of the dancer, actress, singer: Shakira.

• Shakira only really broke through worldwide with her songs "Whenever Wherever," "Underneath Your Clothes" and "Objection.
• The official World Cup song 'Waka Waka' for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa became an outright hit.
• She likes to dedicate herself to the less fortunate. She does this through her own foundation 'Pies Calzados' and by being a female ambassador for UNICEF.

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is her full name. Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, on Feb. 2, 1977, she has shown from an early age that she has talent and aptitude for music. As early as the age of eight she began writing lyrics. She taught herself the English language by studying the works of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Walt Whitman, among others. She also took history classes at the University of Los Angeles, where she then quickly picked up English. She is fluent in Spanish, English, Portuguese and Italian; languages she has also sung in at times. She released her first album at the age of 14 under the name "Magia. Her real success only came not with her first album, but through a single released with hits by Colombian artists. The nummber "¿Dónde estás corazón?" became an outright hit and also gained exposure outside Colombia. She only really broke through worldwide in 2001, when she released the English-language album 'Laundry Service' with the songs 'Whenever Wherever', 'Underneath your Clothes' and 'Objection'.

Today, the Colombian already has 10 albums to her name and has sold more than 60 million records. She also has many collaborations to her name and is considered one of the most successful singers of our time. Collaborations with Anastacia, Beyoncé, Céline Dion, Cher and Calvin Harris, among others, have already been added to her repertoire. Her last collaborations were with Pitbull in 2012 with the song "Get It Started" and with Rihanna in 2014 with the song "Can't Remember To Forget You.

In addition, Shakira is the only singer who has been allowed to perform at FIFA World Cups twice in a row. This happened at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany with the song 'Hips Don't Lie' and at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa with the song 'Waka Waka'. The song 'Waka Waka' immediately became the best-selling World Cup song and the most viewed music video on YouTube.

After quite some time, she then received the famous star on the 'Hollywood Walk of Fame' in 2011. She also has the most 'Latin Grammys' to her name and was the third most viewed artist on Youtube in 2011. She is committed to charity and shows a lot of charisma towards humanity. The 'Pies Descalzos' (barefoot) foundation she founded creates opportunities for the most underprivileged children in Colombia. The foundation has set up five schools in different regions where help is most needed. Here children are offered education, nutrition and psychological help. Also, Shakira has been a female ambassador for UNICEF since 2003. So not only is she a world-class Colombian singer, but she is also trying to do her part for a better world.