CITA – Congreso Internacional de Tango Argentino – was born in 1999 in Buenos Aires, created by tango visionaries Fabian Salas and Gustavo Naveira under the umbrella of Cosmotango. Known worldwide as the creators of “Tango Nuevo” – a term often misunderstood – they did not invent a new tango, but rather decoded the dance, developing the first in-depth teaching system that shaped how tango is learned today. This method influenced generations of dancers, including Mariano “Chicho” Frumboli, who soon joined them in spreading tango across the globe.
What began as a daring idea soon became the longest-running and best tango festival in the world, setting new standards for how tango could be taught, experienced, and celebrated. By mid-2001, Gustavo had stepped away, and Fabian carried the torch forward until 2008, when he partnered with Lola Diaz, bringing both her creative vision and their new company Tangopal into the journey. Together, they have shaped CITA into a global family and have guided it for the past 15 years with innovation, creativity, and love.
In 2015, after relocating to the United States, Fabian and Lola established Tango Brain Inc., the U.S.-based company that now carries the CITA legacy forward. Over more than two decades, this family of projects has been at the heart of tango’s evolution: producing some of the first tango instructional videos, launching TangoChamps, the world’s first online tango reality show, and creating Premios Tango in 2018, known as the “Oscars of Tango” and the highest recognition award in the industry. They also founded Floritango in Florida, extending CITA’s spirit beyond Argentina and into new communities.
CITA itself has always been a pioneer. It was the first tango festival in Buenos Aires where lessons had distinct names and styles, where live tango orchestras played every night, and where the number of maestros teaching and performing surpassed any other event. This tradition continues today, with world-class tango classes in Buenos Aires, inspiring workshops, vibrant milongas, and the chance to learn from the very best maestros and musicians. Recognized with the Premios Tango Award for Best Festival, and with Fabian himself honored as Mejor Maestro (Best Tango Teacher), CITA’s impact is both historic and ongoing.
From its very first edition, CITA was open-minded by design, a place where everyone could share their techniques and move tango forward. Each year we feature new, young, and upcoming dancers alongside the most recognized maestros of every style, including the beloved old milongueros. At CITA, respect for tradition and the courage to innovate walk hand in hand.
But CITA is more than a learning space. It is also a celebration, an experience with the spirit of Studio 54. For years, we have honored that side of tango’s joy with traditions like our carnival costume party night, occasional Pride Nights, and of course, the endless milongas powered by live tango orchestras. We are proud to be both a reputable, highly credentialed tango congress and also “the party of the year.”
At its core, CITA has never been just about dance steps. It is about connection, creativity, innovation, and the profound sense of community that makes tango extraordinary. Each year, thousands of dancers and dreamers from around the globe gather in Buenos Aires to celebrate tradition and push the art form forward.
As we look to the future, our vision is clear: to keep building bridges between generations, to nurture tango as both an art and a way of life, and to continue creating spaces where respect, camaraderie, and inspiration reign. Through CITA, Cosmotango, Tangopal, Tango Brain Inc., and our other projects, we remain dedicated to keeping tango alive, evolving, and touching lives everywhere.
CITA is not only the biggest tango festival in Argentina – it is the home where tango’s past, present, and future meet.