Between December 8th and 13thNew Delhi is hosting the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCOa scenario in which Córdoba pulls out all the stops: that could be it achieve international recognition the most important in the history of Quartet genre.
The candidacy has already been incorporated the representative list that is being analyzedis driven by the Municipality of Cordoba and has the support of the nation state.
The expectations are high. Music that transcends generations, neighborhoods, stadiums and folk festivals could receive a global label This underlines its exceptional value and the contribution it makes – every weekend and for more than 80 years – to the identity of Córdoba.
A process that began years ago
He The act took shape during the term of office of the current governor, Martín Llaryora and continued under the mayor Daniel Passerini. In 2024, the official presentation to UNESCO received the necessary formal support following the evaluation by the Argentine Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage (CAPCI). The document “Quartet, Music, Letters and Dance in the City of Córdoba” summarizes years of research, collaborative work and coordination between authorities, specialists and references in the genre.
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UNESCO defines intangible cultural heritage (ICH) as a living processin constant change, recreated by communities and passed on between generations. To be included on the list, states must demonstrate not only the relevance of the cultural element, but also the specific measures taken to protect it.
And this is where Córdoba wanted to make a difference.
Workshops, debates and community participation
In recent years, the community has promoted a number of spaces designed to focus on the quartet’s sense of identity. Including:
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* Youthin IPEM No. 11 Alberto Cognigni, where students debated choreographic practices, gender transformations and their meaning in everyday life.
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* Cuartetera familyat the Alta Córdoba Cultural Center, which brought together artists, audiences, journalists and protagonists of the movement to reflect on the organization of orchestras, the development of rhythm and the traditions of the popular festival.
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* Quartet with a gender perspectivein the San Vicente Cultural Center, a space dedicated to the historical and current role of women and dissidents in the production of gender.
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* Quartet and democracyat the Cultural Center España Córdoba, where we worked on the connections between popular culture, civic participation and democratic life.
Argentina has already added three expressions to the PCI list: Tango (2009), Filete Porteño (2015) and Chamamé (2020). Now the quartet would like to accompany them on the podium of living traditions with global projection.
The history and cultural relevance of the quartet
Born in the city of Córdoba in 1943, the quartet revived popular dances with a mix of sounds that combined Creole expressions and melodies from immigrant communities. Classical training included piano, violin, accordion, double bass and singing. One of his key figures is Leonor Marzanowhose style on the piano ultimately shaped the identity of the genre.
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In the ’60s, the inclusion of Caribbean rhythms, Afro-Latin American percussion and brass sections expanded the quartet’s power and massiveness. The genre resisted censorship during the last dictatorship and established itself as an everyday symbol of Córdoba: from neighborhood clubs to stadiums, from family Sundays to endless early mornings.
The dances retain their appeal. Families, young people and a diverse audience attend lectures in different parts of the city. Orchestras typically consist of eight or more musicians, and hand signals are used in the audience to denote neighborhoods and affiliations. This gesture code became part of the quartet liturgy.
Popularly known as Tunga-Tungaits rhythm in 2/4 time marks the pulse of the dance: two syllables, two foot movements. The choreographies can be organized in rounds or in pairs holding hands, always quick and festive.
Today the quartet is much more than a style of music. It is affective memory, collective identity, dance, lyrics, party and belonging. A living heritage that Córdoba shares with pride and that could now achieve global recognition in keeping with its history.
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