Argentines are embracing their partners and gliding at the world's largest annual tango festival and championship.

The two-week long offering of more than 500 free dance lessons, concerts and recitals began Tuesday evening in the capital of Buenos Aires.

It included a homage to Astor Piazzolla, Argentina's most popular player of the bandoneon, the concertina-like accordion that is synonymous with Tango.

Hundreds of professional dancers will compete in the championship and teach many the eight basic steps of the dance in the city where it was born.