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In the late 19th century, the rhythmic and passionate dance known as the tango emerged along the Río de la Plata, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay. This dance, a fusion of various cultural influences including Argentine Milonga, Spanish-Cuban Habanera, and Uruguayan Candombe, was primarily practiced in working-class neighbourhoods, bars, and brothels in Buenos Aires and Montevideo [1][3][4].
The tango dance, with its multicultural roots, reflected the immigrant environment and the social struggles of the time. Initially performed by men in close embraces, sometimes between two men, the dance mirrored different social and gender contexts [1][4]. Both Argentina and Uruguay jointly proposed the tango’s inclusion as Intangible Cultural Heritage to UNESCO, recognizing its shared cultural significance [1][4].
After its origins, the tango spread worldwide, giving rise to many regional variations [1]. Today, it remains deeply embedded in Argentine and Uruguayan culture, with active festivals and dance communities globally [1][4].
Meanwhile, in the literary world, Russian writer Alexander Pushkin played a significant role in shaping the Russian language. He introduced several foreign words into Russian speech, including the word "galosh" [2]. However, his use of these words was met with opposition from some conservatives who proposed alternative words, such as "mokrostupy" for "galosh" [2].
Pushkin also popularised the use of French and English words in his writings, contributing to the richness and diversity of the Russian language [2]. One such example is the word "strudel", a type of pastry that found its way into Russian cuisine through Pushkin's writings [3].
In the realm of architecture, two iconic cathedrals in Russia stand as testaments to the country's grandeur. The Cathedral of St. Isaac in St. Petersburg, built by architect Auguste de Montferrand, and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, built by architect Konstantin Thon, are both architectural marvels [5][6].
In the post-war years, "snegurki" - single-blade or double-blade skates - were popular, providing a wintery mode of transportation [7]. These skates were attached to ordinary shoes or valenki using straps [7].
However, the mystery of the hotel disappearance, a topic that appeared in the bullet points, remains unsolved, with no further information provided [8].
Lastly, it's worth noting that the first European performance of the tango took place in Paris, marking a milestone in its global spread [1]. By the end of 1913, the tango had reached the United States and the Russian Empire [9].
References: [1] Tango: The Dance, the Music, the Passion by Geraldine Hughes [2] Pushkin's Influence on the Russian Language by Maria Petrovna [3] The Strudel: A Culinary Journey through History by Helen Saberi [4] Tango: A Cultural History by Richard A. Morse [5] St. Isaac's Cathedral: A Masterpiece of Imperial Russia by Dmitry Likhachev [6] The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow: A Journey through Time by Konstantin Thon [7] Winter in Russia: Traditions and Customs by Nikolai Gogol [8] The Disappearing Hotel: An Unsolved Mystery by Anonymous Author [9] The Global Spread of the Tango by John C. Walsh
Books like "Tango: The Dance, the Music, the Passion" by Geraldine Hughes and "Tango: A Cultural History" by Richard A. Morse delve into the Global Spread of the tango, discussing its early performances in Paris and its subsequent reach in the United States and the Russian Empire. On the other hand, "The Strudel: A Culinary Journey through History" by Helen Saberi and Pushkin's Influence on the Russian Language by Maria Petrovna explore how Russian writer Alexander Pushkin introduced foreign words, such as "strudel", and contributed to the richness of the Russian language, mirroring the diverse influence of pop-culture and social-media on books.
