08/06/2016
From: Luigi Rognoni
Tango is not a solo dance. Not only so, tango is not a show dance performed by a fixed couple only, but a social dance involving a large group of people. The majority of whom, like the immigrants who created the dance, come to the milonga to seek connection, friendship and love, consider tango as a refuge or family..)
The highlight of tango, therefore, is not how stunning its steps are, but the connection, surrender, love, communication of feelings, and satisfaction from the same devotion that others paid in return. In that sense, tango, much like a church, is a fellowship. To enjoy tango, one needs not only to master the skills, but also be a part of a friendly, warm and intimate community, without which the skill is meaningless no matter how good it is.
Those who see tango as a skill often think that once they mastered the skill, they mastered the dance. Such people often disrespect the culture, ignore the codes, pay no attention to the conducts, overlook the relationships, care little about other people's feelings, regard others as of no importance or rivals, are indifferent or even hostile to others, not surrender themselves in the dance, and focus only on personal performance, etc.
This kind of attitude is more visible in Europe and North America where there is a strong standing of individualism, which is incompatible with tango
For this reason, he/she who only dances exhibition tango with a fixed partner is not a tango dancer in the true sense. Unfortunately, this kind of career performers are often regarded by novices in Europe and North America as role models. Under their influence, many young people do not see tango as a fellowship, but a show or performance. Hence the alienation of tango. However, vanity cannot meet the need of the soul
This is where Euro-American tango still falls short from BA tango, because we do not have their culture.
