Lets Dance - Finnish Tango | euromaxx

[@TimiTamminen]

As a Finnish person and a massive fan of tango - both the Finnish and the Argentine styles - I’m not a fan of this presentation because it strikes to me as ignorant and partially made-up. The presenter clearly hasn’t listened to much Argentine tango which is why the whole thing comes across as very awkward. I mentioned this in some of the responses earlier but to understand the Finnish tango is to understand Finnish history and the culture around the music which is a rather different variant from the original style and serves a different purpose. Having originally developed in South America, tango made its way to Finland around the early 1900a and basically morphed into its own culture over time. Unlike in Argentine tango which features a rich, complex set of choreography and musicality, the Finnish tango became a type of folk music meant for everyone to enjoy. The choreography isn’t what matters with Finnish tango, people enjoy dancing to it without having to think about the technique behind it. The music, on the other hand, is warm and very enjoyable once you learn to understand the difference behind it. The key difference - the melancholy minor feel - stems from the war years and those war-time experiences help explain why it evolved into something more pensive and mournful. Another musical movement, Slavic folk music had also made its way to Finland from the neighbouring Russia and these songs became big staples in Finnish cultures (something that isn’t often talked about in Finnish culture but which is undeniably part of the Finnish music history), eventually the melancholy melodies of the Slavic folk music and the slowly developing Finnish tango started turning into a new type of musical fusion. It reminds me a little of the evolution of dembow and how it has made its way from reggaeton to a lot of Eastern music that is now its very own thing, yet the similar roots are there. As a side note, we had our own lineage of great singers, ranging from Olavi Virta (who was an incredibly gifted singer and an equal to the other tango greats in terms of talent) to Eino Grön and, later, more unique names like Topi Sorsakoski who fused Finnish tango singing with various new elements such as electric instruments and band music. There are also a lot of great Romani singers in the Finnish tango tradition, such as Taisto Tammi and, more recently, the amazingly talented Amadeus Lundberg. Finnish tango, to me, is not about the dance but rather about the warm embrace of the music because it perfectly paints a picture of the Finnish nature, the calm lakes and the changing seasons, whereas the Argentine version is more about a beautiful expression of passion and sensuality. I love them both, for different reasons.

[@sebastianzare7641]

This old man is sick!

[@SpiritDragoness]

The Argentine Tango mob is gonna lynch this guy for saying what he said about Argentine Tango. He seems very ignorant and doesn't have a slightest idea what he is talking about. To criticize another dance to advertise yours is also a very wrong way to go. I dance the Argentine Tango... its a dance that has the most feeling, requires a lot of trust in each other, and its a dance that's basically built on improvisation... so counting steps is totally out of the question.

[@Sir-Cordyceps]

Welcome to Finland

[@datura9441]

Argentine Tango is shit... Fight me

[@JoroSchwein]

@@datura9441 I rather love you... its seems you need it =)

[@trinity3899]

Im a finn and he says that because he can't do it

[@TimiTamminen]

Agreed, it is a very ignorant presentation. As a Finnish person and a fan of tango - both Argentine & Finnish - I can safely say that the point of Finnish tango isn’t the choreography, it’s the feeling of the music which drives a whole different purpose. The Finnish tango is pensive and melancholy - music to enjoy life’s beautiful, calm moments to - whereas the Argentine tango is an explosion of passion and fierce emotion. The Argentine tango is more complex and comes with the previously mentioned dancing whereas Finnish tango is meant to be a folk music style enjoyed by everyone regardless of their dancing skills, the singers are where the real talent is! I think understanding this key difference is what clears up the confusion regarding the two, they are basically two very different cultures but with the same roots from South America. As a side note, the melancholy nature of the Finnish tango can largely be explained by the war years during which the music took its shape. This explains the slower, more melancholy feeling behind it.

[@mthai66]

Latins dancing Tango: "I feel the passion" Suomi dancing Tango: "Sisu Perkele!"

[@gt63628]

But yes, Argentina is much more European than Latin American... and tango is an expression of that.

[@gt63628]

Although Latin Americans do feel that passion when dancing.

[@amparoferrari]

Fortunately Argentinian tango as improvisation dance, and as a way in research of freedom smile is allow ;)

[@magikmiles]

I call "bullshit". I hate these "puff" pieces like this. A reporter sees the close embrace dancing and says I can market this idea and then gets all the facts wrong. In this case, she was misled because her source was an idiot with overt sexual intent. First, let's start with what's right about the video: Correct: Finnish Tango is an offshoot of Argentine (not Argentinian) Tango. Correct: The Finnish version of Tango developed its own variation of the music, in a minor key and slowing that tempo down. Slowing the tempo and working off a minor key does make the music seem (or sound) melancholy. That's about all that's right about this video. Stop there. Incorrect: Argentine Tango does NOT count steps. Incorrect: Argentine Tango is all about 'Close Embrace' that's because the idea comes from Argentina, not Finland! So it's not just cheek to cheek, but torso to torso, and body on body with no space between the bodies, and arms wrapped around each other in a "walking hug" without tension, compression, or force, this is a 'close embrace'. This man may be famous in Helsinki, and this may be what he teaches, but he quite literally groped this announcer, twice on camera. This was inappropriate. Period. No respectable dance teacher would do this, granted some do, but they're not respectable. While it may be permissible in Finnish Tango to 'dip', there is no dip in Argentine Tango that resembles this idea at all. I've been to Finland, witnessed their version of Tango, and I teach Argentine Tango religiously. Usually, the major difference is that Argentine and Finish Tango differ in the embrace, the walk, and the music. It's what's done in the embrace that is vastly different. Finish Tango takes it's embrace cue from what is called "Milonguero" style of dancing (mind you this a marketing term and style of dance in Argentine Tango). It refers to close quarter dancing, where the 'moves' are very small, contained, and tiny, to not only accentuate the lack of space on a dance floor but also to be able to fit with the music. Finish Tango resembles its Ballroom kissin' cousin more than anything else on every level. Finish Tango's walk is done off the walking-on-a-tight-rope idea for both Lead and Follow. Where the Lead steps into the Followers step and almost quite literally behind their leg making it appear when the couple walks together with their legs intertwined, this does NOT happen in Argentine Tango. When it does happen, the Follower's leg will swing out and away from the Lead's leg in what is called a 'displacement'. Finish Tango is seemingly built off the quick-quick-slow (QQS) idea everywhere, in every step. There is no QQS in Argentine Tango except in Argentine Vals. Argentine Tango only uses QQS in turns, and not in the walk, and not the dance as a whole as Finish Tango does.

[@santiagomarcelofarias18]

que manera de ensuciar lo que tanto amamos el tango ....no tienen ni idea lo que es ver semejante atrevimiento del sr ese . que le toca todo el cuerpo de la srta .es una falta de respeto,,si llegas a hacer eso aqui en Argentina , te cuelgan de un arbolo..viejo inpresentable

[@elitexas2006]

Very interesting comment about argentine tango, I am very thankful that I learned it in a different way, thanks to George & Jairelbhi Furlong and Michael Kendrick in Dallas texas

[@blonde.angelk]

Tango IS from Argentina so...is the original!

[@JOleg]

Quote from this clip about Tango Argentino: "There's no feeling, it's just counting steps" - are you kidding me? Somebody saying that obviously has no slightest idea about Tango Argentino. It can be whatever you want, with as much contact as you want, cheek to cheek or apart, serious or funny,, you name it. And you if seek for contact in Finnish Tango so much then why do you push the woman away from you every 7 seconds by 45 degrees and thus loosing the (cheek) contact?! Geez...

[@Blanksteg]

The old bastard got a handfull, lol. ^^

[@NicoCarosio]

Claramente conoce poco del tange argentino, pero igual bien todo es bueno a la hora de bailar!

[@mellowmonsoon278]

This looks more like simplified ballroom dancing with about 5% Argentine tango influence.

[@Bowdon]

Isn't the old guy Åke Blomqvist ?

[@amparoferrari]

I am sorry, but this is only bad information. As Argentina, I get goosebumps, seen it. I hope lies doesn't continue to be diffused, as in this video.

[@AnitaFlejter]

This is a funny presentation - hopefully, the lady-presenter had some fun, even though her face tel otherwise.

[@UltimateTango]

'Argentinians count but Finnis Tango gets close', what and absurd. But the video is funny in a sense. Poor reporter-lady. If only she educated herself a bit before she ventured into the reportage. Don't get fooled, people. Tango is Tango. Is not about touching someone's behind to teach them the step and get them closer. It's about communicating with the other and creating space for both. Amon many other things...

[@neoneru]

so wrong!!! Argentineans, we don't count steps. We smile and tango has many forms of expression. Sorry you had such bad experience. I hope you found real tango in Argentina.

[@kakkapekka1860]

+Leonel Tango Yes the claim about steps is wrong. Finnish tango has the same music, in minor key, and the dance is slow suicide. Let us enjoy our version and let people in Argentina have their "joy of life", whatever that is ;) .

[@neoneru]

Of course! Do whatever you want. Enjoy it!!! Just don't speak about others style if you don't like or you don't know. I don't know anything about Finnish Tango but I know Argentine Tango very well. Cheers!!!

[@denebola83]

Esto me recuerda a la película de Chayanne cuando le dice al personaje de Vanesa Williams que la salsa no se baila contando pasos y memorizando figuras, (encima ella, a veces, bailaba sin música!!). Le decía que él, como cubano, no bailaba así.

[@ALG_MD]

Well, if Finns like it, let them have it. I don't mind. If people enjoy it, that's great. BUT(!) to say that in Argentine Tango they count steps, that is complete bollocks!!! To me Finnish tango looks like bad Argentine tango. But OK, it's just they way I see it, and apparently Finns like it! And also looking at it, I now better see (and hear) how ballroom tango appeared.

[@Jatsitytto]

I dance Finnish Tango and I don't really understand why he (Harri) was doing that all the time. Maybe he was told to do so, for the program? It's one part of Finnish Tango, but should be done only few times on dance.

[@graemejclark]

This is the greatest/worst thing I have seen related to Finnish tango. Am I allowed to laugh about sexual harassment if it's an arrogant old man being interviewed in Finland? 'Cause I did, with incredulity.

[@TimiTamminen]

It’s very hard to watch… 😂

[@LotharOfTheHillPeople]

Old man getting a little fresh there

[@mitsumiboi]

Muy bien bailado.

[@MAXSOL69]

Chill out people, Argentinian tango is nice but no reason to fight about the comment of this old guy. Remember that tango was originated in the ghetto of Argentina and its a mixture of African culture and some Eu

[@argentumtempestate9677]

We haven't much african people in these time, but a lot of italians and spaniards.

[@argentumtempestate9677]

@@nahueel6637 Casimiro = Uruguayo.

[@denebola83]

Porque los argentinos somos pasionales para contestar sobre algo nuestro.

[@dotcom2528]

Are you saying Finns are more serious/rigulous then Germains?

[@fugalibrana]

4:00 the last dancer just knows to do the same move again and again and again and again 🤣🤣🤣🤣 She seems so bored 🤣🤣🤣

[@DarayiTejada]

omg this is so weird.

[@denebola83]

Porque no tienen pasión.

[@threenorns3]

ROFL - she looks *so* uncomfortable!

[@densux]

dios mis ojos ,alt f4

[@tanvirrrrrrrrrr]

i love you mam

[@santiagomarcelofarias18]

por lo visto este sr no tiene ni idea de lo que es el tango..a las damas se las respeta no puede nunca tocarlas kmo lo hiso .so lo hace aqui en argentina se come un zopapo ,,cachetada de la dama

[@denebola83]

Tal cual, no puedo creer que hizo eso😧. Viejo desagradable.

[@cheto50]

The Tango is from the Rio de la Plata ( Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay). Argentina's marketing is just better than Uruguay's. For example, La Cumparsita and Carlos Gardel are from Uruguay.

[@gabiiiuuu]

🤣

[@denebola83]

Si hubiese sido sólo por Uruguay, el tango no sería conocido. Gracias al espectáculo "Tango argentino" que fué conocido en Europa.

[@malcolmennis8320]

This is not a different kind of Tango, this guy is just an opportunist. In order to create a variation of a tango dance you should at least know how to dance it. Only the professional dancers, and teachers of tango, with a lot of study, of course, are able to create variations, which are being created. These variations are related to new discoveries in concepts of body movement, and have affected all dances. A variation without the essence is not a variation, it's not Tango. And again, anyway, the best exponents of new tango styles are, most probably, argentinian people,

[@MultiMediaXL]

This is a different version of tango, it was created by simplifying argentinian tango so common folk had an easier time learning it and was mixed with the foxtrot when it came to finland. I think you are a bit absolutist by counting what is or isn't tango based on it's argentinian counterpart and that almost only argentinian people can dance the tango. Tango isn't a single dance, rather a whole slew if dances who have there own quirks (kind of like that there is different kinds of waltzes, even though we often just say waltz).

[@TimiTamminen]

The music style is a variant of the original tango, the presentation about the dance is ignorant fluff. As the persion above me mentioned, the music had turned slower and more melancholy by the time it had made its way to Finland and basically morphed into its own culture over time. Unlike in Argentine tango which features a rich, complex set of choreography and musicality, the Finnish tango became a type of folk music meant for everyone to enjoy. The choreography isn’t what matters with it, people are just enjoying dancing to it without having to worry about the limitations of their technique. The music, on the other hand, is very enjoyable once you learn to understand the difference behind it. The key difference - the melancholy minor feel - stems from the war years and those war-time experiences help explain why it evolved into something more pensive and mournful. Finnish tango, to me, is not about the dance but rather about the embrace of the music because it perfectly paints a picture of the Finnish nature and the seasons, whereas the Argentine version is more about passion and sensuality.

[@m.night_shyamamalama_sama_kun]

Jippi saatana

[@Swishy_Blue]

The difference? Finnish Tango is sad. Sad. Not sexy, sad.

[@TimiTamminen]

The sadness (or should we say the ‘melancholy feeling’) is definitely one of the key characteristics of it. History helps explain this change/development in the characteristic of the Finnish tango, since the music reached Finland around the war years and became big soon after that. You can hear the mournful feeling of the time in the music, and helps understand the culture around it better.

[@elessal]

I prefer the addams family tango. anything else is too mundane.

[@interferenzbrille_2542]

Wow, the sexism didn`t age well

[@cinemalauti]

lol ORCo

[@denebola83]

Qué es esto 😧??. El tango tiene que ver con la pasión, es un ritmo latino. No tiene nada que ver. Eso no significa que el bailarín pueda tocar a la bailarina propasándose. Muy maleducado el señor ese.

[@cintiamansilla8209]

horrible. es un insulto al tango argentino lo que hace este hombre. ni idea de lo que es la danza, los códigos y el buen trato que existen en las milongas.