ARGENTINE TANGO

What is Argentine Tango?

An unpredictable encounter unfolds between two individuals, a unique and privileged moment filled with spontaneity and dialogue within a two-player game—both tender and fierce—a solemn challenge to our creative spirit. Our exploration centers on unveiling that essence of tango: a floating, intense, and timeless dance where two bodies gracefully unite in space, merging into a single, rhythmic harmony that resonates with the music.

A breeze from Buenos Aires rustles through Ghent. Argentine Tango is a couple's dance that is social, improvisational, sensual, and intricate, governed by a distinct set of rules and codes. This dance occurs in an embrace as partners navigate the dance floor in a counterclockwise direction. The term 'milonga' encompasses both a style of music and the venue where the dance flourishes—the gathering surrounded by tables.

Tradition binds the dancers of Buenos Aires and many Milongas, where invitations to dance are communicated through conventional signs known as mirada and cabeceo—gentle exchanges affirming mutual consent for a controlled invitation. The evening's rhythm is marked by Tandas, which are sets of four pieces from the same genre or composer, interspersed with Cortinas—musical interludes that guide dancers to escort their partners back to their seats, often signaling a change of partner.

In the realm of tango, barriers such as social class, age, or language dissolve; what matters most is the present moment, the shared experience of this improvised dance for two.