Tango as a Tourist Attraction in Buenos Aires, 1907

In 1907, the Argentian journalist Arturo Giménez Pastor published an article in which he pointed out that Europe showed an increasing interest in Argentina. In view of this growing attention, he considered it possible that the German emperor Wilhelm II, known for his fondness of travel, might pay Argentina a visit.

… In any case, we must be satisfied with our fortune. The major newspapers, seeing that Europe is already beginning to take an interest in our country, declare this satisfaction to be justified. This is the case when the Financial News or another newspaper specializing in good business publishes from time to time a column about this beautiful country of America, calling it to the attention of its readers. It is said that the English have very good reasons and very good dividends to speak well of us, and they do not give us anything for free by saying that we continue to be good business. But it happens that in Paris, which has not taken us seriously up to now—which has not dampened our jealous eagerness to humbly copy its chic—, Paris also is beginning to talk about us. Columns about us have been published in the language of Racine, Lépine and Montepin, pointing us out to business men who wish to assure their capitals a fine yield.

Wilhelm II: To Buenos Aires, Country of Tango

This, according to the commentators of these events, is due to the fact that our country's prosperity and progress have come to impress Old Europe. Perhaps the day is near when Emperor Wilhelm II will consider a little trip to get to know the Avenida de Mayo, make the obligatory visit to a cattle ranch and appreciate the excellent qualities of tango.  (Caras y Caretas, Buenos Aires, 1907)

It seems unlikely that Wilhelm II would have appreciated tango. In 1912, his alleged cabinet ordre prohibiting military officers in uniform to dance tango made international headline news. Yet, perhaps he would have been more tolerant toward tango had he seen it in Buenos Aires (perhaps by some dashing officers) instead of coming to Berlin via Paris. The British military had demonstrated that the rank and file could dance a tango at least passably well.

Sailors dancing tangos criollos at a reception of the British 2nd Naval Division in Montevideo, 1908 

©2017 Wolfgang Freis