On September 30th, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added 76 new items to its "List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity", for safeguarding and preservation. The "Intangible" list is a companion to UNESCO's World Heritage list, which focuses on physical sites worldwide. Submitted jointly by member states Argentina and Uruguay, the "symbolic universe" of tango was among the traditions added to the list. Tango is a deep-rooted tradition of dance, poetry and song, tied closely to the Rio de la Plata region of the two countries, and remains popular in competition, for pleasure, and for health - doctors worldwide are experimenting with tango as dance therapy to treat problems ranging from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease to phobias and marital breakdowns.
1. A couple dances during the inauguration of the 2009 Tango World Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina Sunday Aug. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/ Natacha Pisarenko)
2. Venezuelan dancer Clarissa Sanchez waits to perform during the International Meeting of Tango in Medellin, Antioquia Department, Colombia on September 17, 2009. (RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images)
3. A man rehearses before competing in the semi-finals of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Friday Aug. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
4. Tango dancers perform during an artistic event of theater and fashion in Cape Town, South Africa. (GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)
5. Juan Pablo Bulich and Rocio Garcia Liendo of Argentina, representing the city of Buenos Aires, dance in the final round of Argentina's seventh edition of the Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, August 31, 2009. (REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci)
6. A couple dances during the final round of the Stage Tango competition at the VII Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires on August 31, 2009. (DANIEL GARCIA/AFP/Getty Images)
7. Fanny and Fabio, tango street dancers, perform in the intersection of Florida and Lavalle streets in downtown Buenos Aires on September 30, 2009. (DANIEL GARCIA/AFP/Getty Images)
8. A doctor and an inmate dance during a session of tango therapy at Borda hospital, Buenos Aires' largest psychiatric hospital, on September 23, 2009. (DANIEL GARCIA/AFP/Getty Images)
9. Natacha Poberaj and Julio Duplaa are seen behind the curtains as they dance the tango during a show on the fourth floor of the Borda Hospital on August 26, 2009. A few months ago some were too shy to talk and others could barely keep their balance when they walked. Today, they embrace their partners cheek-to-cheek, gliding and pausing across the floor to the mournful chords of a traditional accordion. (REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci)
10. A dancer applies lipstick before the finals of the Salon category of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
11. Dancers stretch before competing at the qualifying rounds of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
12. A couple dances during the 2009 Tango World Championship inauguration in Buenos Aires, Sunday Aug. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
13. A dancer performs during the inauguration of the 2009 Tango World Championship in Buenos Aires, Sunday Aug. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/ Natacha Pisarenko)
14. Gustavo Rodriguez and Natalia Gastaminza, representing Argentina, dance in the semi finals of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Friday Aug. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
15. Nilza and Claudemir Pires de Souza, of Brazil, strike a pose during the qualifying rounds of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
16. Couples dance during the finals of the Salon category of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
17. Jonathan Spitel and Bethsabeth Flores of Argentina, representing the city of Cordoba, celebrate after they won the final round stage category of Argentina's seventh edition of the Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, August 31, 2009. (REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci)
18. Dancers perform during the final round of the Tango Salon competition during the VII Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires on August 29, 2009. (ALEJANDRO PAGNI/AFP/Getty Images)
19. A couple dances in the finals of the Stage category of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009.(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
20. The Japanese couple of Kyoko Yamao and Hiroshi Yamao share a dance after winning the first place in the Tango Salon competition during the VII Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires on August 29, 2009. (ALEJANDRO PAGNI/AFP/Getty Images)
21. Venezuelan dancer Clarissa Sanchez checks herself in a mirror before her performance in the International Meeting of Tango in Medellin, Antioquia Department, Colombia on September 19, 2009. (RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images)
22. Couple rehearse before the finals of the Salon category of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
23. A dancer wears her tennis shoes after competing at the qualifying rounds of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
24. A dancer waits for the finals of the Salon category of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
25. Hiroshi Yamao, right, and Kyoko Yamao, left, dance after winning the Salon category of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
26. The feet of a couple dancing in the finals of the Stage category of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
27. Cristian Lopez and Nao Tsutsumishita, representing Japan, dance during the semi finals of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Friday Aug. 28, 2009.(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
28. The leg of a dancer slides across the floor as a couple competes in the qualifying rounds of the 7th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
29. A couple competes during first round of the salon tango category in Argentina's seventh edition of the Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires, August 24, 2009. (REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci)
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