Talents of Tango – Connecting Cities Through Culture

Students will develop their work throughout each semester of the academic year, as indicated in the Classroom Guides. Teachers are encouraged to explain the scope and meaning of all contents related to each discipline. The winners will be those participants whose works are submitted to Talentos para la Vida and selected by the International Jury.

Students are also encouraged to ask their parents about the meaning of the contents in order to enrich the family perspective, based on their favorite Tango or the musical genre designated by each city as its own artistic expression.

Educational institutions may submit all works in a single email to talentos@talentosparalavida.com, at any time during the corresponding term, respecting the disciplines established for the program, as well as the General Regulations and the Technical Regulations.

Students will develop the disciplines indicated in the Technical and General Regulations, representing Talents of Tango or the musical genre designated by the participating cities, addressing topics such as origin, history, singers, scores, music, interpretation, relevance, and countries. Submitted works will be evaluated by a qualified International Jury appointed by Talentos para la Vida, which will determine the winners for each discipline.

Awards will be presented at semiannual Award Ceremonies held in various venues in the City of Buenos Aires (such as the National Academy of Tango, the National Library, the Argentine Catholic University, the Domingo F. Sarmiento Cultural Center) and/or virtually in each participating city from different countries. These cities may also organize in-person award ceremonies as determined.

All works must be submitted digitally. Hand-drawn works (drawings, paintings) must be scanned or photographed with a mobile phone. Originals must be kept and submitted if selected as winners in the corresponding educational category.

Educational institutions must retain all submitted works until winners are announced. In the event of winning works (drawings, paintings, literary essays, compositions), the original signed by the school principal must be delivered, coordinating with Talentos para la Vida in each participating city.

Winning works are grouped into five age categories as defined in the Technical Regulations, always indicating the educational institution, age, and educational level, according to the Registration Form, for all musical genres.

INTERNATIONAL JURY EVALUATION CRITERIA

“TALENTS OF TANGO”

• Creativity and originality
• Cultural understanding
• Expression of values
• Clarity of message
• Teamwork

PRESENTATION RULES

• One submission per student on Tango or the alternative musical genre designated by the participating city
• Original content in physical or digital format
• Works must be submitted by the educational institution, certifying authorship by its students

MUSICAL GENRE – CITY OF BUENOS AIRES

• Tango

MUSICAL GENRE – PARTICIPATING CITIES

• As indicated in each City’s Registration Form

To begin participating, the educational institution must complete the Registration Application (click here) with the requested information.

TECHNICAL REGULATIONS

Age Categories:

• Primary School: Category 1 (ages 5–8), Category 2 (ages 9–11)
• Secondary School: Category 3 (ages 12–14), Category 4 (ages 15–18)
• Tertiary/University Level: Category 5 (ages 19–24)

Disciplines:

1. Drawings, Paintings, or Watercolors (photo or scan)
2. Literary Essays or Musical Composition
3. Photographs, Videos, or Performance Recordings (maximum 3 minutes)

Participation is free and individual. All works must be submitted via the educational institution to talentos@talentosparalavida.com, which must be registered on the website.

IMPORTANT

1. All works submitted from Argentina are included in the Intercity Cultural Cup.
2. Each student participating in the International Cultural Cup selects the genre among all those proposed by the participating cities.

Awards will be presented at semiannual ceremonies held at venues such as the National Academy of Tango, the Catholic University, or the National Library in Buenos Aires, among others. Educational institutions of winning students will be notified at least two weeks in advance.

Awards per category:

• 1st Prize: Gold Diploma, educational materials, and sponsor awards
• 2nd Prize: Silver Diploma, educational materials, and sponsor awards
• 3rd Prize: Bronze Diploma, educational materials, and sponsor awards
• 10 Special Mentions: Diploma, educational materials, and sponsor awards

1. What specific educational value does this program provide?

This program offers a comprehensive approach that combines arts education, cultural heritage, and socio-emotional development. Unlike traditional content, it presents Tango as a living pedagogical tool that enables work on history, language, music, body expression, and values, fostering students’ creativity, cultural identity, and critical thinking.

2. How does the program fit into the academic calendar?

The program is designed as a flexible and adaptable proposal. It can be implemented as an extracurricular activity, a cross-curricular project, or an optional space, without interfering with mandatory curriculum content. Each institution defines the pace and depth of implementation according to its own context and calendar.

3. How much time does it require per semester?

The program does not establish a fixed number of hours. A progressive implementation is suggested, adaptable to between 4 and 8 sessions per semester, which can be integrated within areas such as music, language, social sciences, or arts education.

4. Does it require teacher training or external specialists?

Previous training in Tango is not essential. The program includes clear and accessible teaching guides for educators from different subject areas. The participation of external specialists is optional and left to each institution’s discretion.

5. Is it adaptable to different educational contexts?

Yes. The program was conceived to be applied in public and private settings, urban and rural contexts, and in different countries. Its modular structure allows content, activities, and language to be adapted while respecting the cultural particularities of each educational community.

6. How are students’ rights protected?

The protection of personal data, image rights, and copyright is a priority. Institutions certify authorship of the works, and any dissemination is carried out for educational and cultural purposes, in accordance with applicable regulations and with institutional consent.

7. What is expected from the teacher’s role?

The teacher serves as a facilitator and guide. They orient activities, encourage reflection, and coordinate the production of student work, without needing to become a Tango specialist. The emphasis is on the educational process, not on technical evaluation.

8. Why Tango for children and young people today?

Because Tango is a cultural expression that enables reflection on identity, emotions, history, and social coexistence. When approached from a contemporary perspective, it offers children and young people a bridge between past and present, strengthening a sense of belonging and personal expression.

9. Does the program include dance or physical contact?

Body movement is optional and is addressed respectfully, adapted to each age group. Dance technique is not taught and physical contact is not required. The emphasis is on free expression and mutual respect.

10. What makes this program different from other contests or festivals?

“Talents of Tango” is not only an artistic competition—it is an educational program. It prioritizes the learning process, cultural reflection, and institutional participation over competition, promoting a meaningful formative experience.

11. How is the concept of “talent” defined?

Talent is understood broadly: expressive ability, creativity, cultural understanding, artistic sensitivity, and commitment to the program’s values. It is not limited to technical skill or academic knowledge.

12. How is fairness in evaluation ensured?

Evaluations are conducted by age categories and disciplines, with clear and public criteria. The Jury considers the educational context, the participants’ age, and the expressive approach of each work, ensuring a fair and formative assessment.

13. What is the medium- and long-term vision?

The program aims to consolidate itself as a regional cultural-educational network, strengthening Tango as living heritage in Latin America and promoting cultural exchange among institutions, generations, and countries.

14. Why does this foundation lead the program?

Because Talentos para la Vida’s mission is to promote values education through culture. Its educational, non-commercial approach guarantees a serious, inclusive proposal oriented toward students’ holistic development.

15. How important is this educational program?

If it is not implemented, an educational space that connects children and young people with living cultural heritage would be lost—one that fosters intergenerational dialogue, strengthens identity, and offers a sensitive and creative way of learning. An opportunity would be lost to transmit culture not as content from the past, but as a shared and meaningful experience of the present and the future.

1. “TALENTOS DEL TANGO – Connecting Cities Through Culture” is a program organized by Fundación Educando en Valores – Talentos para la Vida, whose purpose is to promote the talents offered by the cultural world around the musical genre of Tango and the genres proposed by the Cities invited to participate.
2. The program will take place during the months of February, March, April, May, August, September, October, and November 2026, and February, March, April, and May 2027.
3. The school calendar of each country of the registered participating Cities will be respected.
4. The program consists of the creation and submission of individual works by participants in one of the following disciplines:
5. a) Drawings, Paintings, or Watercolors
6. b) Literary Essays or Composition related to the relevant genre
7. c) Photographs, Videos, or Performance Recordings (maximum 3 minutes)

Conditions for submissions:

1. a) Photography: Technique is free (camera type, film, paper, mobile phone, etc.). Original copies may be color, black and white, sepia, or digital. The work must not exceed 10 cm x 15 cm and must be submitted by email.
2. b) Drawing/Painting: Technique and paper are freely chosen. Maximum size may not exceed 80 cm x 30 cm. The original must be kept, and a photo or scan must be submitted by email. Works may be made with pencil, watercolor, paint, or other media.
3. c) Literary Essays: Submissions may be handwritten (as long as legible), typed, or computer-written, in verse or prose. Maximum length is three letter-size pages or 1,500 words. They must be submitted by email to talentos@talentosparalavida.com. If not originally digital, a photo or scan must be submitted.

In all cases, it is essential not to write participant data directly on the front of the work. This information must appear on the back on a self-adhesive label or sticker and must also be indicated in the email submission.

There are five (5) categories of works to be submitted:

1. Primary School: Category 1 (ages 5–8) and Category 2 (ages 9–11)
2. Secondary School: Category 3 (ages 12–14) and Category 4 (ages 15–18)
3. Tertiary/University Level: Category 5 (ages 19–24)

5. Works created by each student participant may be submitted at any time within the established schedule by email to talentos@talentosparalavida.com, by the relevant Educational Institution, together with:
6. a) Participant’s full name
7. b) Identity document number
8. c) Date of birth
9. d) Educational institution attended
10. e) Institution phone number and email address
11. f) Institution address
12. g) Full name of father, mother, guardian, or responsible adult
13. h) Current school year

6. All works submitted before the closing date for each semester will be evaluated. Works not submitted according to the conditions established in these General Regulations and the Technical Regulations, or submitted after the closing date, or not corresponding to the Technical Regulations of “Talents of Tango – Connecting Cities Through Culture,” or not matching the indicated category and discipline, will not participate and will not be evaluated. The International Jury will be appointed by Talentos para la Vida at its sole discretion.
7. For all works developed during the months stated in Article 2, the Jury will evaluate submissions in accordance with the Technical Regulations and will select three winners (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) and ten outstanding works per category as Special Mentions.
8. Awards:

1st Place: Gold diploma and educational materials, plus sponsor awards

2nd Place: Silver diploma and educational materials, plus sponsor awards

3rd Place: Bronze diploma and educational materials, plus sponsor awards

The ten outstanding works in each category will receive Special Mentions at the virtual or in-person Award Ceremony in each City.

9. The organizers will notify winning entries by email, fax, or telephone to the educational institution. Awards do not entitle the beneficiary to request their cash equivalent. Other awards may be donated by sponsoring companies.
10. Award delivery for each genre will take place at a virtual or in-person Award Ceremony in each City. If student winners cannot attend, the father, mother, guardian, or responsible adult indicated in Article 5 may receive the award on their behalf. If an in-person award ceremony cannot be held, Fundación Educando en Valores will inform each participating City’s institutions of the date and time of the virtual Award Ceremony. Educational institutions will receive the awards corresponding to winners in each country.
11. Once the above conditions have been met, if a student winner’s work was submitted through their Educational Institution, the institution will receive:

• 1st Place: Gold diploma, educational materials, and sponsor awards
• 2nd Place: Silver diploma, educational materials, and sponsor awards
• 3rd Place: Bronze diploma, educational materials, and sponsor awards

In the case of other outstanding works, the Educational Institutions of the ten winners will receive a Special Mention at the time of the virtual or in-person Award Ceremony.

12. Participation in this contest, in any capacity, does not grant authorization for the executive organizer to use, upload, or transfer data received from educational institutions. However, the organizer may inform, publish, and promote winning works, including the winner’s data and the educational institution, as well as the City and country concerned.
13. Participation or registration in this contest implies unrestricted acceptance of each and every condition of these General Regulations and of the Technical Regulations of “Talents of Tango – Connecting Cities Through Culture.”
14. Any situations not contemplated herein will be resolved unilaterally and without appeal by the organizers, with no right to claims by participants or registrants of any nature.
15. By the mere fact of participation, participants of any nature assign in favor of the organizer all intellectual and artistic rights to the submitted works, with no right to any claim for the use or publication thereof.

16. The organizers reserve the right of admission to the program. If necessary, they also reserve the right to replace the indicated awards with others, without any right to claims of any nature by beneficiaries or third parties. Likewise, if necessary, the organizers may suspend contests or change their dates and communication timelines, without any right to claims by any participant. The selection and definition of awarded works shall be final and unappealable and shall not entitle any participant to any claim.