Tango purists slam online world championships: there’s ‘no credibility in being a virtual champion’, one choreographer says

Argentina’s annual Tango World Championships get under way today, but instead of hundreds of dancers competing in an arena in Buenos Aires, the pandemic means participants are competing virtually.

Coronavirus restrictions in the South American country, which reported a record daily 8,713 cases on Monday, mean the judges have to rely solely on videos sent in by participants – angering tango purists.

The Buenos Aires city council decided to go ahead with the annual event even though much of the city – including its famous milongas, or dance venues – is shut down.

“We are betting on a tango festival that adapts to the situation we are going through because of the pandemic. Different, but with the same vigour as in previous years,” the city’s head of culture, Enrique Avogadro, said.

The organisers will also allow individual competitors for the first time.

The jury will sift through videos to select a shortlist, which will then be submitted to a public vote via social media. But the festival’s new form has attracted criticism.