Tango Is a Fellowship

Some people approach tango purely as a skill, assuming that technical mastery alone equates to mastering the dance. This mindset often overlooks the cultural depth of tango—disregarding milonga codes, neglecting the connection between partners, treating fellow dancers as rivals, and prioritizing personal display over shared experience. This attitude is quite common in the United States, where the values of liberalism and individualism often clash with the collaborative nature of tango.

Liberalism, with its emphasis on individuality, independence, and personal liberty, often undervalues relationships and collective engagement. Tango, by contrast, is rooted in partnership, teamwork, and cooperation. Its essence lies not in showcasing personal skills but in shared connection, unity, collaboration, and harmony—with not just a single partner but also the broader community. More than anything, tango is a fellowship. To truly enjoy the dance, one must be part of a community—without which, even the most advanced technical skills remain hollow.

For this reason, those who exclusively perform exhibition tango with a fixed partner cannot truly be considered tango dancers. Unfortunately, professional performers are often idolized by tango students, shifting tango from a rich communal practice into a spectacle. Yet technique alone cannot nourish the soul. While skill refinement may bring momentary satisfaction, most dancers eventually seek something deeper, something that transcends individual prowess and taps into the spirit of connection (see The Four Stages of the Tango Journey).

Since its revival in 1983, tango has flourished in the U.S., with many American dancers now matching their Argentine counterparts in technical skill. Yet in Argentina, tango remains deeply rooted in community—more than just a performance, it is a shared tradition. The spirit of fellowship remains at its core. For tango to truly thrive here, dancers must look beyond individualism and embrace the collective experience. This transformation requires commitment from dancers, teachers, and organizers alike. Every aspect of our engagement—how we support our communities, interact at milongas, extend and respond to invitations, and treat one another—reflects our understanding of tango and shapes the culture around us.

As stewards of tango, we carry the responsibility of nurturing its spirit of collectivism. Only through shared efforts can our tango truly reflect the depth, authenticity, and fellowship of its Argentine origins (see 惜缘 – Cherishing the Connection of Fate).