It was in the neighbourhood known as “La Boca”, near the harbour, that the first masses of immigrants (coming mostly from Spain, Italy and Poland) settled down in poor houses called “conventillos” (slums) back at the beginning of the twentieth century. They were in search of better living conditions and jobs. “La Boca” neighbourhood is known worldwide given its association with the famous soccer team “Boca Juniors”. Boca Juniors’ Stadium is known as “La Bombonera”: to watch a match in this stadium is an unforgattable experience.

Tango is a music genre born in“La Boca” neighbourhood and is the result of the diverse ethnic origins of its people. Tango’s roots are to be found not only in the culture brought here by European immigrants, but also in the African, Spanish and “Gaucho” cultures. In the beginning, tango was underrated by the aristocrats living in Buenos Aires – that is, until it became famous in Paris. Enrique Santos Discépolo, one of the best known tango poets, conceived of tango as “sadness that can be translated into dance.”

¡Soy una canción desesperada! ¡Hoja enloquecida en el turbión! Por tu amor, mi fe desorientada se hundió, destrozando mi corazón. Dentro de mí mismo me he perdido, ciego de llorar una ilusión. ¡Soy una pregunta empecinada, que grita su dolor y tu traición. (Enrique Santos Discepolo, canción desesperada).

(This is a song of despair Tumultuous leaf lost in the storm. My heart sank and was torn. By the workings of your love. Lost am I inside myself. Having cried myself blind. Over love’s deceitful eye. I am a mighty question Crying out of pain. Victim of your betrayal).