International Tango Day
What day is it?
Touch and sight create passion. When two merge into one, tango is born. A dance in which partners not only masterfully perform movements, but tell a whole story. Tango keeps the audience in suspense from the first second to the last. It is not for nothing that they say that tango is the dance of lovers, because dancers are able to say more with just one look than with words. During the dance, the blood boils and the adrenaline goes through the roof. Don’t forget the musicians who set the fire with their masterful playing. However, it is worth remembering that performers spend a huge number of hours in training. People dedicate years to master the tango technique in dance and music. International Tango Day is celebrated annually on December 11.
How did the idea of celebrating the International Tango Day come about?
It is believed that tango originated in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. The dance and the direction of the music are the result of a mixture of different cultures and peoples – Italian, Spanish, African, gaucho culture, etc.
There is a legend that tango originated at the corner of Necocheo and Suarez streets in Buenos Aires. Tango began to gain popularity in Europe in 1910, in Paris. At that time, many people wanted to master this dance.
Rise and fall
Tango music was also not left without attention – composers tried to repeat the rhythmic melodies, adding their special notes. Unfortunately, from about the 20s to the 30s of the last century, tango was no longer so popular and almost did not develop.
However, during the Great Depression, a dance renaissance began. The period from 1940 to 1955 is called the golden age of tango. But after the overthrow of the Peron regime in Argentina, many artists were persecuted for supporting the dictator, and therefore almost stopped creating.
In 1983, a tango dance show was presented in Paris, and since then, nothing has stopped the rapid development of the dance.
World popularity
Today, tango schools exist all over the world and educate more and more true fans of this art.
The world tournaments of Argentine tango annually gather tens of thousands of participants and the same number of people willing to watch this incredible action. Also, tango was added to the sports and ballroom dance program, and world champions are delighted to teach others the skill.
The tango dance was even included in the UNESCO catalog as an object of world cultural heritage. Tango Day was first celebrated in Argentina, of course, and later the holiday became international.
Interesting Holidays:
December 11 was chosen for the celebration of this event for a reason, because it was on this day that the most famous tango singer and composer Carlos Gardel and the most influential composer of tango music, Julio de Carlo, were born. Initially, the Buenos Aires authorities approved this date of celebration in 1977, and a year later the event was approved at the national level.
International Tango Day in History
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19th century
second halfThe origin of tango in Argentina. -
1955The overthrow of the Peron regime and the decline of tango in Argentina.
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1977
December 11thThe International Day of Tango has been officially approved by the authorities of Buenos Aires. -
1983In 1983, a tango dance show was presented in Paris.
Frequent Questions and answers about International Tango Day
Some researchers believe that the name comes from an African dialect and means “beating to the drums.”
To attract the attention of the opposite sex. The dance was quite popular back then, so men took private dance lessons to impress a woman. So, they began to impulsively dance in front of each other on the streets and attract the attention of the desired lady.
You can dance tango even barefoot, but it is best to choose shoes with heels. Traditionally, women dance in high heels, and men in square heels about three centimeters.
Classical tango is based on two main movements: a step and a turn. However, to make the dance happen, there are millions of variations of these movements, because tango is improvisation.
Why do we love this day?
Non-verbal communication that occurs during dance is sometimes able to teach people how to solve some life situations. Tango teaches you to talk about everything with your eyes. This dance teaches us to trust and understand each other, because in tango the partner must lead the partner, and she must understand and perform the corresponding movement.
Hundreds of festivals take place leading up to International Tango Day, where musicians compete and show off their game, and dancers show off their professionally trained moves. Everyone prepares carefully for such festivals, because the appearance of the performers must be unsurpassed and amazing.
Thanks to such a day, it is possible to celebrate the best in this business and continue to popularize tango throughout the world. For example, Australian scientists have proven that tango has a positive effect on a person’s emotional state. Therefore, of course, it is important to continue to celebrate this day and enjoy the beauty and power of this dance.
When will we celebrate? International Tango Day?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | December 11th | Friday |
| 2021 | December 11th | Saturday |
| 2022 | December 11th | Sunday |
| 2023 | December 11th | Monday |
| 2024 | December 11th | Wednesday |
