Paris has been tangoed!
While the rest of Northern Europe brace themselves for the cold of winter, people in and around Paris and hotting things up. Rosie Khdir discovers Le Festival Paris Banlieues Tango.
Paris and its surrounding towns are going crazy for Tango in the Suburbs, a festival that has injected some latin spice into the Ile-de-France.
The tango originated in Argentina and Uruguay in the 19th century on the famous streets of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. During the early 1900s many musicians and dancers from these countries moved to Europe, taking their new craze with them and causing quite a stir.
It took Europe by storm and surely enough Paris became engulfed in “tangomania” which swept the city’s salons.
After the Second World War and the popularisation of new music types, such as Rock ‘n’ Roll, the tango struggled to hold on to its former glory. But, thanks to Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla, the dance was given new life during the 1960s and emerged strong once again.
Every year Paris reverts back to its previous “tangomania” through Le Festival Paris Banlieues Tango. This festival explores the music as well as offering concerts, dance lessons, singing lessons, theatre, films, exhibitions, lectures, cabarets and cuisine.
This festival is about discovering the historical and cultural links between France, Europe and Latin America and shows that this century old musical craze is still very much alive in the modern era.
Events take place across the city and including at Le Satellit Café where visitors can move to the sounds of Moroccan Berber songs or the tunes of Indian Sitar players.
Over 70 concerts and dances will be held in around 15 venues with performances including “Tango au Féminin” a tribute to female “tangueras”, “Tango Gastronomie”, gastronomic cabaret evenings with food from Argentina and Uruguay and “Tango Balades” a guided walk through a Paris supposedly haunted by the tango.
There are shows and concerts to please everyone and plenty of dance classes for both amateur and experienced dancers. The festival runs until the 30th November so for more information visit the official website.
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Image credit: zabara_tango
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