Colombia’s second largest city, Medellin, brings the 8th consecutive edition of the International Tango Festival from June 24 until June 28.
The International Tango Festival, held every year in Medellin, gathers musicians, dancers, and tango lovers from all over the world.
This year, the festival is animated by 24 international artists as well as 180 local artists, 46 participants in the canto competition, and according to the official website of the festival, there will be participants from 10 different countries.
The 8th edition of the festival will be honored by the presence of Adriana Varela, considered one of the most important tango singers in recent times, and Raul Garello, a legendary tango figure.
The locations of the festival are multiple as its activity is not limited to dancing and singing. However, the main concerts and spectacles will be held in the Olaya Herrera airport. Other place like Casa de la Musica and Parques Bibliotecas will also hold important events.
Among painting, sculpture, cinema, dancing, singing, and other activities, people will also be able to attend workshops on Lunfardo. Lunfardo is a dialect that emerged from the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and it was associated with criminals and low class people.
Tango emerged at the same time and place and they inter-connected, with many of tango’s songs being written in Lunfardo. Nowadays, tango is part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and Lunfardo is being used by all social classes.
Tango in Medellin
Although the festival had its first official edition in 2007, tango has been vibrant in the city of Medellin since 1935. It is no coincidence that starting in 1935, Medellin became absorbed by the rhythms of the Argentine music style as it was the year when Carlos Garden, one of the most renowned tango performers, passed away.
Carlos Garden was travelling from Medellin when his plane crashed shortly after taking-off. Colombians have embraced tango ever since as a tribute to the Argentine artist whose life ended on Antioquian land.
In recognition of the tango culture in Medellin, and in honor of the deceased tango dancer Carlos Gardel, Argentina presented Colombia with a “Homage to Tango” monument in 2013.
MORE: Medellin receives tango monument from Argentina
Sources
- Festival del Tango Medellin 2014 ( Official Webpage)