Tango, Tourism & Activities in Buenos Aires
Although it has come to epitomize the glamour and elegance of high society, with women in sleek glittering evening gowns and men in tux and tails, the tango originated in society's underbelly-the brothels of turn-of-the-century Argentina.
As immigrants from Europe, Africa, and ports unknown streamed into the outskirts of Buenos Aires during the 1880's, many gravitated toward the port city's houses of ill repute.
The portenios (as they were called) looked desperately for a distraction to ease their sense of rootlessness and disfranchisement as "strangers in a strange land."
The wail of the tango, it is said, speaks of more than frustrated love. It speaks of fatality, of destinies engulfed in pain. It is the dance of sorrow.
Soon the tango developed into a worldwide phenomenon. Even the Americans were doing it. During the first two decades of the new century, the tango took Paris by storm. The blessings of the Parisians, in turn, made it a staple of Argentinean high society.
Today the tango is enjoying a worldwide renaissance of popularity, keeping the fire of this daring art form burning brightly.
