Tango Traditions and Viennese Balls

Science Ball Vienna 2019

We know that tango was never truly embraced by Argentina until after it swept through Europe and became the latest dance craze. Tango was danced everywhere, as clubs and dance halls transformed into tango clubs and tango teas came into vogue. H.G. Wells was later to refer to 1913 as”the year of tango”. The dance suddenly appeared from Paris to London, other European capitals, and then on to New York. The European acceptance of tango created a strong link with the Argentineans and their cultural product, the tango. Prior to this, the sexuality of the dance and its back streets origins, caused a prejudice to surround it from Argentina’s upper and middle classes, at least in public, what was going on behind closed doors was another matter.

Tango was a universal language, not just that of dance, but also music and poetry, it transcended barriers.

The tango went to Europe a fascinating urban dance form and came back to Argentina re-shaped, possibly more sophisticated and into a new era of popular Argentinean culture. Once the European elite had embraced tango, then the Argentine elite could do little else but follow, they wanted to claim it as their own. But it wasn’t quite as simple as that, the tango became socially acceptable amid a backdrop of increasing Argentinean global importance, economic expansion and cultural growth. What the tango provided was an opportunity for those seeking their place in society to have a voice. Tango was a universal language, not just through dance, but also that of music and poetry, it transcended barriers. For many Argentineans it became a way of life, a cultural expression unique to their country, it was after all, authentic in its origin.

Two different dance styles, the Viennese Waltz and the Argentinean Tango, at opposite ends of the world, each with their unique origin, culture significance and for each, at least in their place of origin, strong traditions and rituals.

I was recently sent a research article, written in Vienna, drawing an analysis, and comparing balls and milongas in Vienna and Buenos Aires. Two different dance styles, the Viennese Waltz and the Argentinean Tango, at opposite ends of the world, each with their unique origin, culture significance and each, at least in their place of origin, surrounded with strong traditions and rituals. The traditional way of asking for a dance for instance, the Carnet de bal, dance card, versus the cabeceo , a focused and precise head nod. What happened when they met? It wasn’t as if tango was not danced in Vienna, newspaper reports show that indeed the Viennese did embrace the tango and it was danced throughout the city. However, it appears that, for whatever reason, the Argentinean tango remained obscured from the balls of Vienna until 2017, when the prestigious Technical University Ball included the tango in its program. Perhaps the fact, as stated in the research article, 'Kaiser Franz Josef gave the order to his officers in uniform to sit down when the Argentine tango music was being played” had something to do with it, no-one in their right mind is going to disobey an order like that. As well as their differences, the balls and milongas have ritualistic similarities as can been seen from this extract from the article.

“Both for the Viennese balls and for the milongas, the conclusion of the evening takes place with a common ritual that consists of playing a symbolic song. It is, in fact, tradition to end the Viennese balls by hearing the famous Johann Strauss waltz "The beautiful blue Danube" while the milongas usually conclude the evening with the music of the "La Cumparsita" which can be played in different versions and orchestras”.

I believe social groups and status were a contributing factor, the research article provides evidence along those lines, complete with delightful images of historical publications from both cities. Below is a link to the article, well worth a read for its historical significance and cultural value.

Balls and Milongas in Vienna and Buenos Aires: analysis and comparison

S. Elefante, M. V. Arenillas,, S. Jovicic, M. Elefante, C. Black. 5 min read

Technical University Ball 2020, Hofburg Imperial Palace, Vienna

Meanwhile in Melbourne, Australia
….for those who are wondering - tango did come to Australia in 1913, with Tango Teas and grand affairs being held in Adelaide and Melbourne. In 2013, to commemorate a hundred years of tango in Australia , “Milonga 100” was held in Melbourne, organised by the teachers and Melbourne tango community. It was an extravaganza and something I believe those early tango pioneers would have appreciated and enjoyed.

Should you be interested, below is a link to a blog: Tango in Melbourne by Paul Dee posted that year.

Such was Life - Tango in Melbourne 2 min read

Tango Teas Melbourne