It is widely acknowledged that our country has always been ambivalent and conflictual in relation to our historical memory. This lack of memory permeates the problematic issue of the Argentine identity crisis both in a social context and a cultural one. As a result of a general disinterest, it has been impossible to avoid the loss of extremely valuable fundamental patrimony that today we would love to be able to enjoy and study. Fortunately, the existence of some private collectors and tango historians has guaranteed the conservation of a great deal of varied material in shellac records and original LPs, tapes, acetates, magazines, original sheet music, photographs, audiovisual and filmic materials.

These “collections” built by very special individuals over their lifetimes are unique and irreplaceable because of their sheer size and content. The result of this tireless and anonymous work offers us today an historic opportunity to recover our memory.  The advanced age of many of the collectors, the precarious conditions in which the materials are stored, and the presumed value that these “collections” might have on the international black market make this project extremely urgent.  After years of intense research and commitment to “recovering memory,” TangoVia Buenos Aires has earned direct access to the private collections of the most important tango collectors in the world.  A team of specialists works constantly with these collectors.

The creation of the Tango Digital Archive will prevent these unique documents from disappearing, either by accidents such as fire or flood or by pure and simple negligence.  A careful process of digitalization guarantess a security copy in a basically imperishable format.  The archive will constitute, in little time, a detailed and complete record of the history of tango, at last available to everyone. This archive of unique characteristics will end 100 years of both memory loss and indifference toward the protection of our cultural identity. This archive is not a luxury; it is a necessity.