Why Berlin is considered the ‘European Capital of Tango’
17/09/2020
Photo by Stefan Widua on Unsplash
Towards the end of the 19th century, Tango had originated from the working class districts of Buenos Aires, Argentina. This particular style of dance later became more established and even more popular within affluent areas. Soon after, the Tango would eventually become a national symbol of Buenos Aires.
But, having said this, the Tango, didn’t just remain a dance, or a style of song. Instead, the Tango became a statement, or rather, a way of life for many. To this day, the Tango still remains a cultural expression unique to Argentina.
As the popularity of the Tango continued to soar, both musicians and dancers of the Tango began to bring the dance to Europe at the beginning of the 20th century. During this period, Argentina was one of the wealthiest countries in the world, with many Argentina natives living in popular European cities, introducing the ‘nobles of Europe’ with those well-versed in the ‘art of the Tango’. By around 1913, the Tango had become well-received by major European cities, such as: London, Paris and, especially, Berlin.
According to the website http://diadeltango.com/, it states that “Germany, and especially Berlin, play an important role in the most recent history of tango as well. When at the end of 20th century, after years of oblivion, tango enjoyed a renaissance around the world, the Berlin wall had just fallen and Berlin was the new bohemian hot spot of Europe. It had become an important crossroad where the merging of east and west, old and new, tradition and modernity fuelled an unprecedented outpour of creativity and freedom of expression."
To date, Berlin is highly regarded as the ‘European capital of the Tango’. Germany’s capital has the largest and most diverse Tango community in the world, with thousands of dancers (outside of Argentina). Almost a century later, the Tango only continues to flourish, with professional tango aficionados from all over the world choosing the city of Berlin as their 'second home' for Tango.
Visitors can certainly expect to find so many ways of experiencing the Tango dance culture in Berlin on any particular night of the week. This could be through attending dance classes, with specialised instructors that teach the Tango. Many are also immersed into the Tango dance scene through experiencing the vibrant and spontaneous culture of a milonga (usually held at night).
Within the Tango culture, a milonga is a dedicated venue, where the Tango is danced. Milongas can also be an organised event of itself, devoted to the Tango. In fact, the Tangonale is also another immensely popular three-day-event; which, is held in the month of July, by Berlin’s local government.
The purpose of the Tangonale is to celebrate the relationship between both Argentina and Berlin, through the Tango. During this wonderful event, visitors can enjoy a vast array of poetry readings, musical concerts, film screenings, art exhibitions and tango performances.
Club Dance Holidays offer a long weekend holiday package to Berlin from 12th to 16th of August 2021. Including daily workshops, milongas and hosting by a local expert, it's the perfect opportunity to imerse yourself in the European capital of tango.