In October 2009, the tango was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO. The cultural protected status covers representative music and dance of the River Plate (especially the twin cities of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay). The declaration was signed by 24 members of the Intangible Heritage Committee in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).
The proposal promoted by both South American countries tries to rescue the traditional music and dance shaped in both sides of the River Plate in the last decades of the XIX Century. The fusion of African rhythms with the Spanish guitar and singing tradition originated tango. Result and image of the working class in those days, summarizes in its cadence and lyrics, the nostalgia, sadness and happiness of our people.
According to UNESCO, each intangible cultural heritage (as the tango is now) is traditional and living at the same time. It is constantly recreated and mainly transmitted orally. The depository of this heritage is the human mind, the human body being the main instrument for its enactment, or –literally– embodiment. The knowledge and skills are often shared within a community, and manifestations are often performed collectively.
Some other intangible heritages that share this privilege with tango are: the Samba de Roda de Recôncavo de Bahía (Brazil), Chinese calligraphy, Aubusson tapestry (France), the tradition of Vedic Chanting (India), Opera Dei Puppi, Sicilian Puppet Theater (Italy), Kabuki Theater (Japan), the Indigenous Festivity dedicated to the Death (Mexico), among others.
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