The tango occupies a very important place for Argentines. Although it is widely known around the world as a union of music and dance, the tango has a very strong and imposing philosophy.

The Tango has taken on an international beat with various forms of dance involved, but it is widely recognized as an Argentine dance, that has evolved to what we know today as tango.

Tango traces its origins to the 19th century and to groups of people who lived around the young city of Buenos Aires. At that time, the lands potential for wealth was discovered and the government began to advertise heavily in Europe encouraging immigrants to come over in flocks in search of opportunity. These immigrants, along with countrymen who arrived from the interior and some Porteños (locals) of limited resources, formed a new social class. It was there in the courtyards of the buildings where these people lived that the tango was born. The music and dance served to attract others they identified with and helped to make Buenos Aires a place they called home. It was a way of reinventing the culture, of generating new roots.

As it is an art expression that began from the fusion of different cultures, the offshoot of the tango was the creation of a new slang, lunfardo. This way of speaking, is a mixture of Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Spanish gypsies, Afro-American dialects and other languages, and is included in the lyrics of tango songs. Today this slang has been absorbed by Porteños, and it is often heard in social events and reunions.  

The tango’s beautiful and impressive dance was characterized by its secretive codes. Given that most of the general public could not understand the deep meaning of the tango, it took a long time for it to become widespread, so many people just thought of it in its musical sense. However, it is clear that the tanguera culture comprises many specific customs and is much more than simply an artistic demonstration. It is said in fact, that it is the most soulful dance of all.

The tango lyrics usually refer to the ordinary man and his problems. They can range from the story of a man who is suffering a broken heart to the story of the ¨chanta argentino¨ (crafty Argentine devil). That is how the tango came to be known as a portrait of Buenos Aires and its people. It is essentially melancholic, looking backwards towards the past, and lamenting the loss of their homeland, family and culture.

Carlos Gardel is undoubtedly the most symbolic figure of the tango. Known as El Zorzal Criollo, the songbird of Buenos Aires, he is legendary in Argentina. Although he died very young in an airplane crash, he became quickly immortalized. His enduring fame is measured by the oft-heard Argentine expression 'Gardel sings better every day'.

Tango symbolizes passion, blood, rhythm, and living life with fervor. It’s a contradiction of sensations. It draws an Argentinean portrait of the immigrant era, and its arrival to the new world. Still today many people empathize with the music and lyrics, and it is still alive in the streets of Buenos Aires. With each song, the Buenos Aires culture travels further around the world. Click 'play' on the video below to see an example and be sure to check out the Kiss and Tango Guide to Tango in Buenos Aires.