The Bandoneon: sound of Tango

Financial assistance:
- US$ 99,764 granted in 2020
Dates of implementation:
- 01/04/2020 - 25/10/2023
Documents:
- Request form ICH-04: English|French
- Budget and timetable: English|French
- Progress report 2022: English
- Progress report 2021: English
- Final report: English

Benefitting country(ies): Uruguay

Overview:

Implemented by the Cienarte Foundation in cooperation with the Interministerial Commission for the Support of Tango and Candombe, this thirty-month project aimed at safeguarding the traditional sound of tango produced by the bandoneon, its emblematic instrument. The bandoneon is an essential part of tango (a binational nomination between Argentina and Uruguay, inscribed on the Representative List of the 2003 Convention in 2009) and is now considered as one of the fundamental signs of Rio de la Plata identity. Nowadays, however, there are only a handful of bandoneonists, mostly over sixty years of age, and there are only three luthiers dedicated to tuning and maintaining the bandoneon in Uruguay. To address this situation, this project haD the following objectives: to create an inventory of bandoneons, players and luthiers; to establish a decentralized bandoneon school offering free classes for young people in four regions in the country; to develop an updated bandoneon teaching method; to generate lutherie opportunities for young people; to increase awareness of the instrument in elementary schools; and to carry out an evaluation of the bandoneon and players. A Bandoneon Fest was established. As a result, the people of Uruguay are becoming more aware of the relevance of this instrument as living heritage. Knowledge about the bandoneon is being transmitted to new generations of musicians and the training of luthiers capable of restoring, tuning and manufacturing new instruments help address the lack of bandoneons. Finally, the value of the bandoneonists as bearers and performers of this key tradition of living heritage shall be socially recognized.

News and activities:

2020-10-08 – Nearly US$500,000 granted to support safeguarding activities in Antigua and Barbuda, Burundi, Egypt, South Sudan and Uruguay

05/12/2023 - 08/12/2023 – Ancestral and traditional techniques for the elaboration of the 'Poncho Para'i de 60 Listas', from the city of Piribebuy, Republic of Paraguay 10/03/2022 - 29/09/2023 – Strengthening capacities for the implementation of the 2003 Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage in Antigua and Barbuda