Tango 2 Istanbul

[Chiquita Mcnicholas]

Stepinto the passionate embrace of rhythm and dance at the Istanbul Tango Festival, "La Ventana," where the heartbeats of Argentina resonate against the vibrant backdrop of this historic city. Immerse yourself in a celebration of the sensual and spirited art form of tango, where every step tells a story and every movement captivates the soul.

Set against the stunning Istanbul skyline, the festival invites tango enthusiasts from across the globe to indulge in a fusion of cultures, bringing together world-class dancers, maestros, and DJs for a mesmerizing experience. From the emotional melodies to the intricate movements, the festival is a melting pot of creativity, inviting enthusiastic and seasoned dancers alike to revel in the passion and elegance of tango.

Workshops led by renowned instructors offer a chance to refine your technique and deepen your connection to the music, while electrifying performances by top-tier artists will leave you spellbound. Whether you are an aficionado looking to perfect your skills or a curious social dancer eager to take your first steps, "La Ventana" promises an unforgettable journey into the enchanting world of tango.

As the sun sets over the Bosphorus, the festival comes alive with milongas and performances, creating an ambiance where friendships are forged, hearts entwine, and the magic of tango takes center stage. Join us for a festival of passion, elegance, and the timeless allure of tango in the heart of Istanbul, where the window to the soul of tango remains open for all to embrace.

Founded in the location of a historical theatre and music hall from the 70s, Sofitel Istanbul Taksim sits in the heart of the city, with unique views of Taksim Square and the mesmerizing Bosphorus. As past and present converge in unique settings, we welcome you to discover Turkey from the comfort of a 5-star hotel with sea view rooms and suites, an authentic spa, impeccable dining options including a rooftop bar. Stay in central Istanbul and dare to explore.

Welcome to Sofitel Istanbul Taksim, the finer site of sophistication where refined European heritage blends with Turkish culture. Located in the center of Istanbul, at the Taksim Square, our luxurious hotel is very close to the capital's main attractions. Sofitel Istanbul Taksim offers exceptional 5-star experience in Istanbul for leisure, business and exploration. Enjoy your stay in the heart of Istanbul, only minutes from Karakoy, Taksim and Nisantasi areas.

Experience the traditional, powerful, and joyful essence of tango straight from Buenos Aires with tango bardo, brought to you exclusively by 17th tanGOTOistanbul. Immerse yourself in the passionate rhythms and captivating movements of this iconic dance form, transporting you to the vibrant streets of Argentina with every step. Join us on a journey filled with emotion, connection, and the rich cultural heritage of tango, all within reach at 17th tanGOTOistanbul.

First time in tanGO TO istanbul, experience the vibrant and enchanting music of the illustrious Hyperion Ensemble, known for their captivating performances and colorful orchestral arrangements. Join us for a complete musical feast unlike any other, as we present one of the most dynamic and engaging orchestra performances of all time.

We are delighted to announce that the 5th edition of the t2i Cup will be taking place between the 14th and 17th of March 2025. This highly anticipated event will see talented dancers from around the world compete in exciting categories. All categories will be announced soon

The competition will be judged by a distinguished jury that has been carefully selected from some of the best and most respected dance professionals in the industry. We are committed to ensuring that the judging process is impartial, fair and of the highest standard possible.

We invite dancers from all corners of the globe to participate in this prestigiousevent and showcase their skills and passion for dance. The t2i Cup provides a platform for emerging talent, established performers and dance enthusiasts to come together and celebrate the art of tango.

The grand final of the Tango Salon and Tango Escenario categories will be held on stage and will be broadcast live worldwide. For all details regarding the tanGOTO CUP competition and world ranking, please visit the tangotocup website by clicking here.

It is specifically designed for Marathon dancers who want to experience a high-class tango marathon while also enjoying an international Tango festival with amazing maestros and Orchestras. The VIP Marathon will take place in a different hall (Babylon Hall) within the same convention center as the festival milonga place (Grand Ballroom). Moreover, food is of utmost importance during tango marathons. We offer a wide selection of dishes from the Anatolian kitchen, including both regular and vegan options. Additionally, there will be unlimited access to water, coffee, tea, snacks, and fruits throughout the event. Please note that the VIP Marathon is limited to 150 Leaders and 150 Followers, and pre-registration is mandatory.

It is well-known that tango was a dance born in the poor neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentine; it first spread to Europe after World War I and then to Istanbul via Pera (Beyoğlu), and from throughout Turkey. Like the jazz of America's black people, the rebetiko of the Anatolian Greeks and the fado of the Lisbon poor, the tango is the music of lower class. Most probably it benefited from Spanish music, the habanera of Cuba and other similar traditions. Behind every form of art there is a combination of many different traditions. But as a result, the tango was sui generis, unique.

It is thought that tango took shape in the last two or three decades of the 19th century. As mentioned above, the tango is music that blossomed in the dens of the suburban districts of Buenos Aires, and from the very beginning was accompanied by dance. Both as music and dance, with its macho style and energy, the tango reflects the main characteristics of the world into which it was born. Indeed, the word macho is itself a concept that spread to the world from Spanish?

Many musical genres have been born into the "underground" like this; after some time, such music is learned by the dominant upper class, attracting their attention as well. This, for most of the time, is a sign that such a movement might spread to the world over a period of time. Indeed, the genres I listed above, particularly jazz, have always followed such a course. Maybe, since the tango is a dance as well, it quickly became popular all over the world. Not resting on what they took from Argentina, many countries started to compose their own tangos.

Argentina's greatest tango singer was Carlos Gardel. He was born out of wedlock in Toulous in 1890. Because his mother later moved to Argentina, Carlos Gardel grew up in Buenos Aires. He was recognized and loved not only in Latin America, but also all over the world. He visited United States and many European countries (in particular, Paris) frequently. The tango became popular in Europe in the years following World War I and Gardel popularized it even more. He died in 1935 in a plane crash in Columbia. His tragic death at a young age also increased his popularity.

Reaching Europe, the tango found itself in a quite different atmosphere. It encountered not jerky movements of the apache, but romantic gentlemen and ladies. Thus, it was softened and refined. In some countries, for example in Finland, it was embraced almost as a native music genre. German, French, Russian and Spanish tangos came into being. Turkey and Greece did not fall behind. Even the Arab singers in the Maghreb and Lebanon sang Arabic tangos (like the Algerian Jew, Lili Boniche).

The first tango composer in Turkey was by Necip Celal Antel (1908-1957) This first composition was Mazi, one of the most beautiful Turkish tangos. The first recorded tango was composed by another famous Turkish tango composer, Fehmi Ege (1902-1978), and Seyyan Hanım sang: On a Moonlit Night. In fact, preceding these two, there was a Tango turque, composed by Muhlis Sabahattin, but this was composed only as an instrumental (Muhlis Sabahattin also composed Valse Istanbul).

The Westernization movement that started in the last years of the Ottoman era influenced the musical field as a matter of course. While the tango was being slowly shaped in Buenos Aires in Argentina, the people of Istanbul invented the kanto. The kanto was a genre that was sung before "dramas" in Direklerarası Theater, and was considered to address the common folk and was sung by non-Muslims, as the cantos were considered to be immoral. However, cantos were very popular.

Tango also became popular. However, it is possible to state that the level of society which the tango directly addressed was less "vulgar" as compared to that of the canto. The tango was more of a "Western product", and a music from the West; moreover, it was a dance. The dance was something that the common folk were not familiar with and were timid about learning it. Therefore, from the beginning, tango was redolent of an "elite" atmosphere.

As mentioned before, not only in Turkey, but also everywhere in Europe the tango ceased to be the tango that had been created in Argentina. This can be considered as moving up the social ladder. The dance was performed in an amorous attitude; after gazing at tangoing couples, Clemenceau asked the people: "Why are they standing?" But while this cuddling was not as tough or macho as it was in Argentina, it did not have a clear sexual implication, but rather a more romantic sexuality or amorousness. As can be expected, this was also the case in Turkey. In fact, the romantic-sexual style was tamed down even more in Turkey. In a society that had just come out of female seclusion, nothing less was imaginable. Already, the "dance" itself was already a very new phenomenon. Nevertheless, the Turkish who were accustomed to watching the dance of a professional such as kek, engi or rakkase, became used to one man and a woman dancing together rather easily. The profession of "dancing master" emerged. Dancing masters who were of non-Muslim minorities, mainly Armenians, opened dancing schools in almost every part of the city. Among the dances taught at these schools the most popular dance was the tango. The tango was not only most important as a partner dance, it was a dance in which skills could be demonstrated to the audience. References such as "he dances well" or "he is very good at the tango" carried great weight in high society.

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