Argentina and Uruguay patch up row to get tango on Unesco list (guardian.co.uk): "Argentina and Uruguay have squabbled for years over who invented the tango, both claiming to be the birthplace of the great tango crooner Carlos Gardel. But they patched things up last year in a joint effort to persuade Unesco to list the tango among its traditions worth safeguarding for humanity."
Their efforts were successful: Tango on UNESCO world heritage list (AP): "Tango was declared part of the world's cultural heritage by the United Nations on Wednesday and granted the international seal of approval Argentina and Uruguay have long sought for the dramatic dance and its sensual moves.
The 24 members of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee of Intangible Heritage granted the tango dance and its music protected cultural status at its meeting in Abu Dhabi."
Raised in poverty in Buenos Aires, Carlos Gardel became the king of the tango. His musical ability, baritone voice, charm and tango-cancions about love, hate, infidelity, and crimes of passion propelled him to musical and film stardom, and when he died in an airplane crash in 1935, Buenos Aires shut down to mourn him.
What do you think Gardel would think about the many Tango Shows in Buenos Aires?
Photo of tango dancers in a street in the La Boca barrio of Buenos Aires thanks to ArtToday.