One aspect of tango that is often highly debated is its authenticity. As with anything that has a long history, preserving the authenticity of any concept can be a challenge. In the case of tango, the changes typically pertain to the sensuality of the dance, which was not initially embraced by cultures outside of Buenos Aires. This was especially true in Western countries such as France, England, and the United States.
Thus, regarding its sensuality, many people believe that the only authentic tango is the one danced in “close embrace” rather than that danced with an “open embrace.”
But is this a correct assessment of tango’s so-called authenticity? Should the embrace used in tango matter?
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