Origins of Argentine Tango in Rio de la Plata and Buenos Aires
The history of Argentine tango brings us to the banks of the Río de la Plata, in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Montevideo (Uruguay). At the end of the 19th century, the dances and music of black slaves, seasonal workers, and European immigrants merged with those of gauchos, the South American cowboys. They all moved to the city in search of work, bringing their diverse musical influences with them.
The early years: simple music and men among themselves
In the early years (1890-1900), men experimented with dance steps, often in styles like the canyengue. At that time, there were more men than women, which explains this practice. Musical accompaniment was modest: usually one or two musicians with a guitar, violin, or flute. The tango was developing its own unique rhythm and movements, paving the way for its evolution.
How tango conquered Argentina
The history of Argentine tango shows that, at the beginning of the 20th century, this dance was gaining popularity. More and more people started dancing the tango, musical ensembles were formed, and large halls organized milongas almost every night. The music was always played live and orchestras expanded with more musicians.
During the golden years of tango, between 1930 and 1950, known as the “época de oro“, almost everyone in Argentina danced. It had become a national passion! The radio, which broadcast the music into every home, greatly contributed to this boom.Tango was no longer just a dance; it became a cultural identity of Argentina.
Argentine Tango's Journey to Europe: acceptance and adaptation
In Europe, it took longer for Argentine tango to gain a foothold. The Church and the medical world were often reluctant to accept tango, which they considered vulgar. Eventually, a “clean” version of tango was introduced in Europe, which gave rise to the ballroom tango. Although different from the authentic Argentine tango, this adaptation helped spread awareness of the dance and its allure.
Revival of authentic Argentine Tango in Europe
It was not until the 1970s that the original Argentine tango was danced in Europe. Today, the dance has become one of the most popular on the continent. Every country now has numerous dance schools, milongas, tango festivals, and marathons. This has given rise to “tango tourism“, where dancers travel from country to country to visit milongas. Maestros from Buenos Aires give performances, shows, and workshops worldwide. Musical ensembles shine on the stages of cultural centers.
Thus, Argentine tango, once the ugly duckling of dances, has become a passionate icon of the 21st century, celebrated worldwide for its deep emotional expression and rich cultural heritage.
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Sources:
- Wikipedia
- Tango-info (http://argentijnse-tango.allerbest.nl/)
- UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE inscribed in 2009 the Argentine Tango on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.