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Minds Without Borders

A thoughtful look at how culture, society, politics, media and economics affect us all.

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CULTURE

What’s The True Meaning Of ‘It Takes Two To Tango’?

8 fun facts about the Argentinian tango that people don’t know

7 min readAug 30, 2024

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My husband and I loved practicing Argentinian tango techniques together when we first met. We wanted to become great dancers, or at least that’s what he said, knowing it was my dream.

However, between pursuing a PhD in marine biology, which was what my Chilean husband came to Hong Kong for, and me struggling to keep afloat a gallery exhibiting mainly my father’s art, there was just no place for any more dancing in our lives.

My relationship with Argentinian tango began before I met my husband a long time ago. It happened in Beijing in 2002. As soon as I was introduced to the tango music, I became possessed. I was convinced that I must have been an Argentinian tanguera (tango dancer) in one of my previous lives. It was like going home. It was like “home” was calling for me.

My body had never experienced an urge to dance and suddenly wanted to interpret the tango music from orchestras of the Golden Age like D’ Arienzo, Di Sarli, Fresedo, and Pugliese. I melt in their rhythms instantly whenever I hear them.

Less than a year after I was exposed to tango in Beijing, I got laid off from my job there and subsequently…

Minds Without Borders
Minds Without Borders

Published in Minds Without Borders

A thoughtful look at how culture, society, politics, media and economics affect us all.

Chingmay Anaïs Jo
Chingmay Anaïs Jo

Written by Chingmay Anaïs Jo

I am a multilingual and multicultural nomad who studied international affairs and history. I love music, humor, animals, and beauty in everything.

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