Argentine tango sweeps across borders, conquers China

Gustavo Mozzi, the festival's artistic director, said the competition "is getting stronger and bigger every year. It's massively popular. Last year we had 600,000 visitors and this year the number is about the same or higher."

The rising interest in tango in the East is one reason for this growing event.

"The festival brings together international (tango) chapters and what's evident is that there's been growth in Asia," Mozzi said. "The Beijing chapter has grown stronger, advanced couples came from there."

In preparation for the tango World Cup, 12 international chapters hold qualification rounds, Mozzi said, in addition to which there is the European championship.

Competitors this year have come from more than 40 countries and regions.

The World Cup finals in Salon Tango will take place Wednesday at 7 p.m. local time (2200 GMT) at the city's legendary Luna Park Stadium, a performance center and sports venue.

The classic tango tunes composed by Carlos Gardel will be played by guitarist Leonardo Sanchez and sung by the well-known singer Jairo, with Pablo Agri directing the orchestra.

The finals in Stage Tango will be held Thursday at the same venue, but with famed tango singer Raul Lavie accompanied by a sextet led by bandoneon player Horacio Romo.