Safeguarding Tango as an Intangible Cultural Heritage through Higher Education in Argentina: a case study of three national universities in Buenos Aires

Tango, a binational nomination between Argentina and Uruguay, was inscribed as Intangible Cultural Heritage on the Representative List of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. Noting that the cultural heritage is increasingly threatened with destruction not only by the traditional causes of decay, but also by changing social and economic conditions, and considering that protection of this heritage at the national level often remains incomplete, UNESCO recognizes that education plays a key role in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Safeguarding by integrating Intangible Cultural Heritage in higher education could be a great strategy. The article briefly presents the concepts of Intangible Cultural Heritage, safeguarding measures, a historical approach to Tango, and a review of three curricula or degree proposals offered by three universities in Buenos Aires that could be considered as safeguarding measures for Tango as Intangible Cultural Heritage. From the point of view of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Overall Results Framework, we interpret that the proposals of the universities under study can be considered measures to safeguarding Tango that intend to guarantee Tango as a living heritage continuation. In the three proposals there is Tango education, awareness-raising and possibly transmission.