Hauke Jagau

"No single group of people exists as an abstract entity or ideal for tango. Tango knows only a person's flesh and blood." (José Gobello)

One of the most beautiful forms of human expression is without doubt the tango. Described by George Bernhard Shaw as "the vertical expression of a horizontal desire", it is not only the dance which brings people closer to each other, but rather a global attitude to life that is expressed in music, song, theatre, literature, film and photography.

All sides of this culture will be on view at TANGO IMPULS from April 14th to May 8th 2011. The Hannover International Tango Festival is taking place this year for the third time, and I have gladly taken over its patronage. The region of Hanover will in this way become part of the global world of tango and offer a platform for intercultural exchange between international and regional artists and an attractive meeting point for members of the public interested in music and dance.

Argentina, home of the tango, celebrated its 200th birthday in 2010 and tango itself has been making history for more than 150 years. Inspired by various European, Latin American and African musical forms, the tango developed between 1850 and 1900 in Buenos Aires and from there stole the hearts of people from all parts of the world. Tango started a movement in the truest meaning of the word, captivating more and more tango fans from all over.

Just three years ago a dance teacher was refused access to the Artist's Social Welfare fund in Germany, with the reasoning that Argentinean tango is legally not an art form. Recently however tango was recognised as being part of world heritage by UNESCO and has thereby claimed a place in art history. I am certain that the TANGO IMPULS III festival will provide another joyous chapter to this story.

On this note I would like to wish the organisers a successful festival and the guests many vibrant cultural experiences and an electrifying tango impulse.

Yours,

Hauke Jagau

Regional President