A Tango of Militant Hope

The song “Tenemos esperanza” [“We have hope”] is a prominent affirmation of hope based on the Christian faith in contexts of violence, injustice, and despair. Composed during an era of military dictatorships throughout Latin America, this tango articulated the social critique and defiant optimism proclaimed by the Christian message. Tango is not commonly associated with Christian religious practices nor does it typically feature content full of prophetic denunciation. Yet Pagura utilized this medium to offer resounding public testimony of deep Christian convictions. “Tenemos esperanza” proclaims that, in an environment overshadowed by fear, anguish, and despair, the Christian faith refuses to give up; rather, Christianity declares that in the person of Jesus Christ lies the hopeful answer for individuals, families, nations, and life itself. This song recovers the critical dimension of the Christian gospel by emphatically pointing out the extent to which societies have distanced themselves from the fundamental values of justice, dignity, peace, and well-being for all.