Modern Tango World N° 8 (Moscow, Russia) | Page 18

In 2013, the Moscow cultural center, La Milonga, received
official permission to conduct an Argentine tango prelimi-
nary championship for the Tango BA Festival y Mundial del
Baile. The winners of the championship in Moscow would
receive tickets to Buenos Aires and were qualified to the
semifinals of the world championship.
In addition, the European Tango Argentinean Championship
was founded in 2010. This event had a significant influ-
ence on the careers of Russian tango teachers. In the first
European championship, the first place was taken by the
Moscow couple, Vladimir Khorev and Natalia Petrova.
These competitions combined with the growing popu-
larity of Argentine tango in Russia and Europe attracted
attention of international professional choreographers
and dancers, who recognixed the opportunity for tours
giving shows and classes.
There are some unique aspects to professional choreo-
graphic activities in Russia. Thanks to the strong tradi-
tions of teaching classical ballet and rhythmic gymnastics,
there are several generations of young and active cho-
reographers who and dancers who easily learn modern
dance movements in the open studios for jazz-modern,
yoga, body-ballet, contemporary, etc. Around 2010, the
passion of Argentine tango reached this community.
Since then, tango in Moscow has changed under the influ-
ence of these schools. The earliest teachers were profes-
sional choreographers. In Argentina, there are practically no
professionals among the old school teachers. In Moscow,
a different situation has developed. Tango has become in-
creasingly more technically sophisticated. The requirements
for good tango have increased significantly, along with the
number of teachers who organize escenario shows.
Attracting new people, who had never danced, is also
becoming popular. Now,, it is possible to learn how to
dance not only with a small circle of friends, but also in
large sports centers and multi-dance schools. Moreover,
students can buy a subscription for regular private and
group classes, and get discounts for regular attendance.
At the time of the writing of this article, there are about
65 tango schools located in different parts of the city, of-
fering social to high-tech tango.
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