The National Day of Tango

admin — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:26:07 +0000

Tango for Real Buenos Aires

If Argentina has a National Independence Day and a National Flag Day, why should there not be a day to commemorate our beloved Tango- the trademark and passion of our country?

Today Tango is recognized and revered all over the world. It originated in the basin of the River Plate, amongst immigrants and the working class. It was this melting pot of customs, beliefs and rituals that gave birth to the unique identity that is present in the music, dance and poetry of our Tango. It represents the diversity that exists within our culture. Over the years it has evolved and adapted according to the changes in society and is currently as popular as ever.

A DAY FOR TANGO

“The National Day of Tango” was an idea launched in 1965 by Ben Molar. Born in 1915, he became a central part of the Tango scene. He lived on the corner of Montevideo and Corrientes, the heart of this culture, where the cafes overflowed with everything that spoke Tango. His passion for our national dance lead him to become an academic of the National Academy of Tango, the Academy of Lunfardo (local slang), and a member of the commission of the Cultural Argentina-Israeli Institute and Association of friends of Avenida Corrientes. He was also awarded Illustrate Citizen of Buenos Aires.

Nowadays if you walk down Corrientes Avenue you will see that its 40 corners are decorated with bronze plaques commemorating the great Tango personalities such as Libertad Lamarque, Mariano Mores, Enrique Cadicamo, Horacio Salgan and Raul Lavie.

The idea of Tango Day was to commemorate the birthday of the creators of the two main currents of Tango: Carlos Gardel –the voice, the idol, “el zorzal criollo”-, born the 11^th December 1890, and Julio De Caro –the music, the magnificent orchestra director, the renovator -, also born the 11^th December 1899 .

As Molar stood one day on the tanguero corner of Corrientes and Esmeralda, on his way to celebrate the birthday of Julio De Caro, he was struck by this coincidence making the 11^th December a landmark date of extreme cultural interest, and decided to promote it as a national holiday in celebration of Tango.

He presented his proposal to the then Secretary of Culture Mr. Ricardo T. Freixá, as well as requesting and receiving the approval of artistic organizations such as Sadaic, Argentores, Sade, Casa del Teatro and the Argentine Musician’s Union.

Eleven years later he still had no official answer and so decided to organise a movement in favour of National Tango Day which would be broadcasted on the television and radio. The movement was a great success. It culminated in a huge festival in Luna Park, and on the 29^th November 1977 the decree Nº 5830/77 of the Municipality of the city of Buenos Aires approved the date as a commemoration of Tango. One month later the decree Nº3781/77 extended the celebration nationwide. It was now officially a national holiday.

Nowadays this holiday is celebrated in all corners of the world, evidence being last year when Tango was honoured by UNESCO as Cultural Patrimony of Humanity, a proud moment for us Argentines.

PROGRAMMED ACTIVITIES -12/11/2010

CITY OF BUENOS AIRES

PLAZA DE MAYO AT 8PM (free entry)

Singers: Nelly Omar and Adriana Varela

National Selection of Tango with the direction of Leopoldo Federico

National Orchestra of Argentine Music “Juan de Dios Filiberto” directed by Oscar D’Elía with Amelita Baltar and Juan Carlos Baglietto

(For more information see www.cultura.gov.ar)

MILONGA

The only place to be this Saturday night. The singers and the orchestras are la crème de la crème of Tango today. Be sure not to miss it. If you dance Tango or you just like to watch you can head for SALON CANNING at Scalabrini Ortiz 1335. Here you will feel the passion, music, memories and dance as young and old celebrate Tango on the dance floor.

For those of you who are interested in Tango but not experts, or experts who want to know THE places to go, book a private TANGO EXPERIENCE with leading private tours company Buenos Aires Experience, and enjoy a whole evening dedicated to the enjoyment of Tango including a lesson, dinner and access to the best milongas in town.

Please contact info@buenos-aires-experience.com for more information.

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Tango for Real

Buenos Aires Experience — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:00:45 +0000

For many, the Tango is a way of life in Buenos Aires. It characterizes the passion and intensity of our great city and is a true expression of Buenos Aires’ very essence. Tango dance and tango music constantly evolve, its reincarnations capturing the hearts of souls of every new generation. No dance form rivals the Tango’s sophistication and sensuality.
The Buenos Aires Experience is not about Hollywood glitz or cheesy shows. You got this far and we believe your tango experience should be through the eyes of the Tango movement’s disciples. To see a glitzy stage performance you do not need to come to Argentina, but if you want to immerse yourself in the world of the true Tango then our host intends to treat you to a rip-roaring local Buenos Aires Experience well off the typical tourist beat. Our “tanguero” (he who tangos) will take you on a magical journey into the very heart of tangos’ birthplace.
We start our tour at the oldest café in town with presentation of the different Tango dance styles.
Then we are off to an intimate atypical bodega where our host is both our chef and our waiter who will delight with Porteño fare accompanied by a fine Malbec.
We complete our tour in one or maybe two of Buenos Aires’ happening Milongas. A Milonga is often wrongly translated as a dance hall. Nothing like it! A Milonga is where the tango aficionados meet to dance and demonstrate their particular Tango styles amongst their contemporaries. The word originates as slang for a party. Here men take the girls out to dance “cabeceando” (shaking of the head side to side), just like the tango men of yesteryear.
Our Buenos Aires Tango Experience is no show, this is Tango for real.
The Milongas are social clubs, art-nouveau cafes, Belle Epoch Ballrooms or private homes. The venues are ever changing and adapting to the crowd. Our “tanguero” will ensure you are part of today’s main tango vibe.
***If dancing is your thing, the sights and ambiance will most certainly be all you need, however, we can also arrange some private lessons in a charming colonial setting. It takes two to tango, so if you need a dance partner just let us know***.