Tango gets a bit of star recognition from the UN

October 01, 2009|Barbara Surk, Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Tango was declared part of the world’s cultural heritage by the United Nations yesterday 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 the panel’s meeting in Abu Dhabi.

The designation may make Argentina and Uruguay, which both claim to be tango’s birthplace, eligible to receive financial assistance from the fund for safeguarding cultural traditions.

It will also help both governments justify using public funds to preserve their most famous export after to beef.

“We are very proud,’’ said Hernan Lombardi, the minister of culture for Buenos Aires, which is an autonomous city. “We hope this decision will help spread the tradition of tango all over the world.’’

Tango has enjoyed a recent boom in world popularity, attributed in part to the Broadway hit “Forever Tango’’ and TV’s “Dancing With the Stars.’’

“Tango is a feeling that can be danced, and that feeling of course is passion,’’ Lombardi said.

India’s Vedic chanting and Japan’s Kabuki theater are among the dozens of UN-protected traditions.