Promotional material for National Tango Day Photo: Courtesy of the Argentine Consulate General in Shanghai

The Argentine Embassy and general consulates in China recently held tango-themed celebrations and interactive activities to mark the country's annual National Tango Day on December 11.

From December 5 to 11, the Embassy of Argentina in China, together with a Beijing-based tango club ATer Club, organized a series of events including a tango competition, a four-day tango workshop, and a dance party. The events were open to public, according to the embassy.

In Shanghai, the Argentine Consulate General in this city hosted a celebratory event on December 9 that consisted of music and tango performances, a tango open class, Argentina wine tasting, and a lucky draw.

The event was open to the public and was free of charge, the Global Times learned from the consulate general.

It was a very special annual event in commemoration of the birth of one of the greatest tango exponents Carlos Gardel, Matías Nicolás Babino, Deputy Consul General of Argentina in Shanghai, said in a speech delivered at the event.

The tango was born in Argentina out of a mixture of unique diverse rhythms and cultures that characterized the country, Babino said. Tango's international origins destined it to become an art form with universal appeal, he said.

And today, tango has widely dispersed in countries as diverse as Japan and Finland, and it is flourishing in China as well, said Babino.