Couples from around the world danced in various categories at the Buenos Aires Tango World Championship on Saturday (August 23), showcasing their skills in the Argentine capital’s most prestigious tango event.

Italian dancers Paolo Viaggi and Ilaria Napoleone, competing for the first time, described the experience as a whirlwind of emotions, saying they usually teach tango as a social dance but wanted to explore its competitive side.

The two-week festival, featuring over 500 activities and renowned artists, is the largest tango gathering in the world, according to city officials. Tango, born in Buenos Aires’ working-class neighbourhoods in the late 19th century, has become a global cultural phenomenon, with the championship drawing hundreds of couples each year.

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BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (AUGUST 23, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF COUPLES COMPETING IN THE SALON CATEGORY AT THE BUENOS AIRES TANGO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

2. VARIOUS OF DETAILS OF DANCERS' FEET

3. JUDGES EVALUATING

4. ITALIAN COUPLE PAOLO VIAGGI AND ILARIA NAPOLEONE DANCING

5. TANGO DANCERS PERFORMING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) TANGO DANCER, ILARIA NAPOLEONE, SAYING:

"They called us right away because we participated in the first round, and it was even more exciting because as soon as we arrived, we were already on stage. It was our first time competing. Although we run a school in Italy and teach tango, we’ve always seen it as a social dance, something anyone can do. I never thought about competing, and now it’s more than just a social tango."

7. PERFORMERS ON STAGE AT THE END OF THE PIECE

8. NAPOLEONE AND VIAGGI AT END OF THE MUSICAL PIECE

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) TANGO DANCER, PAOLO VIAGGI, SAYING:

"It’s a whirlwind of emotions that even led us to make a few mistakes, but that’s tango, it’s made of emotions, of moments lived in the instant. We’ve always experienced tango socially, in milongas, and we try to pass this on to our students. Now we’re exploring this competitive side, just for fun."

10. VARIOUS OF COUPLES COMPETING

11. DANCERS' FEET

12. VARIOUS OF COLOMBIAN COUPLE FROM MEDELLIN, BRANNDON CARDENAS AND SUSANA ORTIZ (BLUE DRESS), COMPETING

13. COUPLE DANCING TANGO

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TANGO DANCER, SUSANA ORTIZ, SAYING:

"It’s a wonderful feeling, an experience every tango dancer should have. It’s rewarding to show your talent here, to share your work and enjoy the moment. Not everyone gets this chance, so we’re making the most of this stage, this space, this production."

15. VARIOUS OF TANGO DANCERS AT THE END OF THE MUSICAL PIECE

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TANGO DANCER, BRANNDON CARDENAS, SAYING:

"This is a world championship, and the level is extremely high. We’re up against the best, from Argentina and around the world. But we’re giving our all, and the experience here is unmatched."

17. VARIOUS OF DANCERS COMPETING