El Abrazo (Bergen)
In tango, each embrace is a unique combination of two life histories, cultures and world views. Even when re-embracing someone you've danced with dozens of times in the past, some part of the embrace and the emotions it carries is always different. There are those embraces that fill you with clarity and calm, cleansing your mind of stress and unnecessary clatter. Their effect reminds me of drinking cool, refreshing mint tea or eating simple but nourishing meals, for they remind you of the simple joys of a healthy, non-excessive lifestyle. They also re-establish your faith in your abilities as a social dancer. Then, there are the flirtatious embraces. They are filled with play, suggestions and counter-suggestions, a constant ping-pong of ideas, gentle but intentional provocations, laughter caused by trial and error. They are also riskier than the former kind, for at any moment, they can be misinterpreted, go too far or lead to loss of meaningful contact. They could maybe be descri...