[Tango-L] Beware criticizing a Porteño's Tango‏

[Sergio Vandekier]

Burak says "For me, Social Tango is very personal, it's neither genetically inherited nor studied in academic institutions,and it's immigrant culture, so it can infiltrate into different cultures."
 
I entirely agree with Burak, social tango is personal, every dancer develops his own style which is an exteriorization of his own personality.  It is not genetically inherited, and it is not studied in academic institutions.
 
Burak says "it is immigrant culture" .  To me Tango, the same as most of the other ballroom dances developed
from a mixture of European and African elements . Elements that *only* interacted when catalyzed by a very special cultural milieu.  
 
Tango, samba, rumba or swing were not born abroad and then imported as such into the American countries, those dances developed under the influence of a very particular culture that was/is expression of a certain nationality. 
 
I agree with Burak in the sense that Tango the same as swing, have a universal attraction.  Are artistic expressions that evoke feelings, emotions and understanding in people of diverse nationality and culture.
 
Questions will appear with respect to authenticity when we are obligated to learn those dances outside their cultural milieu.
 
It is irrelevant to compare and discuss who dances better tango.
 
Tango is something different for each one of us. I can say I like/ dislike the way so and so dances but I cannot say he dances better or worse tango than anyone else.
 
What is important (IMO) is to incorporate the elements that constitute the essence of tango:  hearing the music, understanding the rhythm, moving to that music, improvising,  learn to surrender to the music and to one's partner,  establish an spiritual connection with our companion during that journey, and eventually have a "magical" transcendental experience. All along obtaining a positive, good, kind feeling and having fun at the same time.
 
With best regards, Sergio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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