National Tango Day

Tango is about feeling and sensitivity, otherwise you are just doing gymnastics. You can do all the steps but it has to have the feeling and sensitivity of authentic tango.

Miguel Zotto

Step. Step. Back step. Beginning of the salida. Salida – crossed or simple. Step. Cross. Walk. Open step, to right. Cadence. Rotation. Did you find out this passionate dance, the dance of tango? It is a fascinating and sensual, magical and breathtaking. It is as though this dance has its own gravity. It dominates and captures, it captivates the souls and hearts both the dancers and the viewers. It sounds as short as a heartbeat. It is as simple as all worthy things are – life, breath, love, passion, and dream. It is tango, with its complicated patterns and rhythm. And it’s not the sort of thing you forget once you’ve tried it.

National Tango Day is celebrated on the 11th of December every year since 1965. This date was chosen to commemorate the birthdays of two tango iconic figures, Carlos Gardel and Julio De Caro. Carlos Gardel is today known as “The Creole Fieldfare” and the creator of the “Tango song”, and is considered to be the most famous figure in the history of the tango dance. Julio De Caro was a prominent orchestra conductor and an Argentine composer. As a matter of fact, the idea of Tango Day came to Ben Molar, when he intended to visit De Caro’s house in order to celebrate his birthday. Ben Molar then suddenly realized the fact De Caro and Gardel had their birthdays at the same date. Two prominent figures, two talented creators… an idea struck Molar. He proposed to the Secretary of Culture of the Municipality of the City of Buenos Aires that 11th of December would be commemorated as the ” National Day of the Tango”. Molar succeeded only 11 years later, when the authorities approved this idea. The Secretary of the Culture approved the project of the National Tango Day, so since 1976 the date of December, 11 has been considered to be a national holiday in Argentine. Later, Tango Day has been celebrated all around the world.

You’ll have seen the tango movies – remember the breathtaking “Scent of a Woman”, touching “Shall We Dance” or fascinating “Take the Lead”. You’ll have heard Astor Piazzolla or Carlos Gardel’s immortal masterpieces as “Por Una Cabeza” or “Libertango”. But have you ever tried to dance for yourself? Today is a perfect chance to try! Russian ladies adore skilled dancers! And tango is the only sure way to look like a man who can treat a lady. Worth trying, isn’t it?

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