Around 100 older people took part in the first free tango class in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in Spain’s Canary Islands, as a European project combining dance, health and social care got under way.
The initiative is being delivered in synergy with the city council’s department for welfare, care and health, a collaboration organisers say gives the project a stronger community and public health dimension.
Carmen Luz Vargas, the city’s councillor for welfare, care and health, said projects such as STEP-BY-STEP show that wellbeing is not only about medical treatment but also about creating spaces for meeting, physical activity and social connection for older people.
Tango can help improve mobility and coordination, while also strengthening self-esteem, easing loneliness and supporting emotional wellbeing, all of which are central to healthy ageing.
The course forms part of STEP BY STEP, bringing together partners from Spain, Italy and France, with the same approach being replicated in the other participating countries.
David Prieto of Abrazos en Movimiento said the response had been “very encouraging”, adding that the project had already attracted strong interest from older residents who want to keep learning and stay active.
The programme is aimed mainly at people over 50, including older adults with reduced mobility, and uses Argentine tango as a structured but accessible way to support movement, memory and social interaction.
Research into adapted tango suggests it may improve mobility, balance and motor-cognitive function in older adults, while also offering a social and enjoyable form of exercise.
For the project team, the turnout shows there is real appetite in the Canary Islands for activities that combine exercise, culture and community in a format that feels accessible and enjoyable. The response in Gran Canaria has been especially strong, with participants keen to continue through the full 30-session programme.