Last Saturday, international superstar Shakira graced the audience of Sanders Theatre with a few lines from her hit song, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).” As the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations’ 2011 Artist of the Year, Shakira received her award during the 26th Annual Cultural Rhythms showcase: a full-day ethnic celebration featuring student performers in two shows on Harvard’s biggest stage.

12 Harvard student groups shared the stage with Shakira during the afternoon show, and the evening show—hosted by Byron T. Lichtenstein ’11 and Mya L. Thompson ’11—featured another 16, including the Harvard Breakers, the Harvard Philippine Forum, and the Holoiuma ’o Hawaii. In keeping with the celebration of cultural diversity, the Cultural Rhythms Food Festival was held in the Science Center between the two performances. The festival featured traditional ethnic cuisines, ranging from Chinese to Nigerian, prepared by 20 of the college’s cultural groups.

This year’s Cultural Rhythms showcase extended its celebration to host a total of 28 student groups, the largest body of performers yet. “We have more groups participating than ever before. I think it really speaks to the proliferation of cultural artistic expression and how it is increasingly important. Cultural Rhythms not only honors the Artist of the Year, but also gives groups who don’t often have much exposure on Harvard’s campus to perform on the Sanders stage,” said Jessica M. Ch’ng ’12, co-director of the afternoon show.

In their extensive selection process for Artist of the Year, members of the Harvard Foundation found Shakira’s long-time humanitarian efforts and incredible success in the music business exemplary. “She combines the creative quality and, importantly, the humanitarian aspect of the honor, which truly speaks to the spirit that we look for in an Artist of the Year,” said Olamide E. Oladipo ’12, the other co-director of the afternoon show.

Graciously assuming the role of Master of Ceremonies, Shakira praised the afternoon’s performers and chatted with two members of each group between acts; she asked about their costumes, their hometowns, and their background in dancing or singing. After the Pan-African Dance and Music Ensemble’s performance, Shakira talked choreography with the student dancers; because Colombian culture is influenced by African culture, she said, many movements from their dance looked very familiar to her. At the request of the audience, Shakira gave a small performance of her own, singing the chorus of “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” a cappella after the first performance by the Harvard Ballroom Dance Team.

Although Shakira was a thoroughly amusing emcee, she engaged in more than performance formalities. The reasons for Harvard Foundation’s selection became clear as she spoke passionately about the value of universal primary education, especially for youth in developing nations. “It’s not every day that I’m presented with an opportunity to speak to the people who will soon plant relevant ideas in the hearts and minds of generations to come,” said Shakira at the beginning of her speech. Throughout, she stressed the importance of inspiring younger generations to drive a continuous commitment to international social justice.

Shakira, like too few of her contemporaries, uses her voice both for hit singles and advocacy. Indeed, her dedication to education and basic rights for children in the developing world brings a notable facet to her artistry. Reaching out to Harvard’s students, she said, “In the end, you are the people that are going to have the power to make universal education a reality. You will be the policy makers, the business leaders, and the educators, and become extremely influential to the order of the world.” With this acknowledgement, she left the audience with a final request: “Can you help the rest of us make a more just society through your practices?”