This year at the UK Tango Festival and Championships 2015, we welcome Demian Gawianski, who joins us for some lectures on Tango lyrics and culture. Demian teaches Spanish through Tango both in Buenos Aires and online. We met with Demian to find out what it’s all about.

What is ‘Enjoy the Tango of Learning Spanish’ all about?

We are an online Spanish language school based in Buenos Aires, which is specialised in teaching Tango lovers. Our book & 2-CD set “Buenos Aires Experience: Enjoy the Tango of Learning Spanish” is a Spanish language course through Tango which, as well as other material like “The Tango of Spanish DVD”, our school has developed over the years. Tango is a main axis in our method because of our firm belief that the interest in a language is usually motivated by a deeper interest in the music, art and literature of the people who speak it. And because it makes the learning process more exciting, enriching and fun, and thereby more effective.

Do you dance tango?

I dance some tango, although my main passion for tango is not its dance but its poetry. Having studied classical literature, I must say that tango lyrics are the most beautiful piece of poetry I have found in any popular music around the world. In Argentina, Tango is not merely a dance, but a whole culture. This is what I have tried to transmit to my student in all of the workshops I’ve taught around the world, and is what I will be excited to share with the London tango scene at this festival. The main goal of my workshops is to achieve a broader understanding of tango’s roots, which may change my students’ dance interpretation.

How did tango find you?

I was breastfed with it, listened to its singers’ groaning on tape, heard it as the background music of my city. So many debates would inevitably end with a lyric-based motto, always full of wisdom. I was born, raised and have always lived in Buenos Aires. How could tango have not found me?

When and where are the classes and how much will it cost?

You can view and book the classes for the festival, in advance, via the UK TANGO FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS SCHEDULE.

Do I need to know Spanish to attend your class?

No, you don’t. The course will be a great opportunity to practise for those who want to but nobody will be left behind. The only risk is: you may fall in love with tango lyrics and sign up for a language course.