Darko Dožić, a prominent figure in “Tango Natural Belgrade,” which stands as the largest tango organization in Europe, holds a formal education in political science and has years of experience in fostering a “face to face” community through UNICEF. He is also a skilled communication trainer. Hailing from Kolašin, he is organizing the 11th international Tango Camp alongside his colleagues. Now residing in Belgrade, Darko shares with “Vijesti” how both cities have uniquely influenced him. He continuously seeks a more harmonious society and deeper connections among people while striving to maintain a balance between his public endeavors and personal life.

When tango is mentioned, your name is often referenced. Who else is Darko Dožić beyond the dance floor?

Currently, I’m on a quest to discover the ordinary Darko Dožić, a man working to shape his personal life. This aspect is crucial to me, and I often seek its fulfillment. My relationship with my girlfriend, Iva, significantly supports me in this journey. Fundamentally, I believe my purpose lies in helping people develop and connect. Evidence suggests I am effectively building communities. Aside from Tango Natural, which serves as an exemplar in the tango sphere, I have spent six years successfully fostering community through UNICEF by encouraging individual donations from Serbian citizens. Over the past twelve years, I’ve also trained individuals in communication and leadership skills, empowering them to create positive change in their surroundings. These experiences are integral to my identity.

Moreover, in discussing activism, I identify as an educational and cultural advocate, convinced that progress stems from a heightened awareness, which must be accompanied by adequate education. Our relationship with nature and each other is merely a reflection of our consciousness.

How do you manage to balance all these different identities?

They generally coexist harmoniously. However, the ordinary Darko occasionally emerges, yearning for a simpler private life, which can create tension (laughs). I was drawn to tango due to its unique blend of personal exploration and social transformation. Tango Natural flourished rapidly because we focused on community-building activism rather than solely on our dancing prowess.

Before establishing Tango Natural, Sonja (Živanović) and I dedicated ourselves to revitalizing the Serbian Green Party and other cultural initiatives aimed at introducing fresh perspectives on life. These experiences equipped us with valuable insights and helped us understand ourselves better.

In a world shifting towards uncertainty, what role does tango play?

True tango always encourages presence and conscious connection. Acts of violence stem from unconsciousness, and we are all, to some extent, guilty of this—whether it’s in our inability to truly perceive or listen to one another. Tango cultivates a community of creative individuals from various fields and backgrounds. In these times of alienation, such gatherings are rejuvenating sanctuaries. However, there’s a clear conflict between the dominant lifestyle and the practice of tango, which demands investment of time—both in learning and dancing. Many who cease their tango journey often cite poor time management as the reason. It’s worthwhile to introspect on who or what we prioritize with our time.

What has tango contributed to you, how has it influenced your values, and what has it perhaps “taken away”?

Tango is a thrilling adventure—a phenomenon encompassing physical activity, creativity, socializing, self-development, globetrotting, and broadening our horizons. Simultaneously, it acts as both diagnosis and therapy. It vividly reveals our current state: whether we offer space, the comfort of our embrace, our level of freedom, and how effectively we communicate and listen.

I’m an imperfect human, as we all are. Through dancing and my involvement in the tango community, I learn to acknowledge and change these imperfections. Of course, it’s not solely through tango. It’s a social dance and a way of life, forming a community that continually engages and embodies its essence. Essentially, in a single evening, one can dance with ten or fifteen different partners, experience support or rejection from each other, set boundaries, and recognize individual tango styles, discovering fellow souls who share similar experiences. This intensity of interaction is rare for most, perhaps only matched in the parent-child relationship.

How has growing up in Kolašin influenced your various identities?

Kolašin has significantly shaped me. At times, I feel I’m merely continuing the communal spirit we had as children. We formed a vibrant, creative tribe. When I recount our adventures to people in Belgrade, I suspect some might think I’m weaving tales about childhood bands of kids armed with bows and arrows, living in our self-made wooden houses, or crafting our very own rafts. Kolašin provides the perfect backdrop for a childhood even Tom Sawyer would envy.

I am deeply thankful to my mother for her strength and patience in keeping our small apartment open to me, my brothers, and a multitude of neighborhood kids and their boundless energies. This apartment became our central hub and the foundation from which I began envisioning the life I desired.

Your younger years were also filled with outdoor work, nature, and basketball. Who else influenced your values during your teenage years?

My weekends and summers spent in the countryside with my family or solely with my grandmother, alongside cattle, absorbing the ethereal beauty of the Morača rivers and the encircling mountains, left a lasting mark on me. In KK Gorštak, I nurtured an enthusiasm—an almost fanatical dedication—towards manifesting a better world, inspired largely by my father’s dreams. Additionally, I’m learning to appreciate the balance of this aspect. A National Unity rally I attended at age fifteen also left an impression on me. During that event, individuals from the DPS filmed us from the post office, attempting to instill fear. Such experiences solidified my oath to stay away from similar undertakings. Although I barely knew her, Željka Vuksanović also made a mark on me as I listened to her discuss advocacy for Kolašin on Radio Ozon from another room.

In what way has Belgrade shaped you into who you are today?

Belgrade has granted me the freedom to be my true self. It has introduced me to fascinating individuals and a plethora of skills. Initially, I was far more recognized here than in Kolašin. This isn’t to belittle Kolašin, but rather to highlight that in a smaller setting, it’s challenging to carve out your own space and repel unwanted influences. Generally, when treated with respect, people in Belgrade respond positively to those of us from Montenegro. They appreciate the blend of backgrounds—tango dancers, country folk from Crkvina, political scholars, and leadership trainers. This is the essence of Belgrade—a city open to the new and meaningful. Naturally, this relates to my experience of Belgrade; many who migrate from smaller locales tend to replicate their old lives, missing the rich cultural and social currents that this city offers. It seems detrimental to embrace the stress of city life without reaping its benefits.

How satisfied are you with the local support you receive for the International Tango Camp in your hometown?

In Kolašin, we’ve been systematically fostering recognition of the importance of the Tango Camp over the years. Some individuals are extremely supportive, while others may not fully grasp our mission, yet do not hinder us. There are still those who are unfriendly, but I believe the overall climate is improving. Challenging the undeniable appeal of such a beautiful event is not easy without questioning its flaws. We are immensely appreciative of the recognition we do receive. We strive to introduce ourselves to the community, encouraging them to find personal value in our efforts. It’s worth noting that this event, among the various international gatherings we host, stands out. The Tango Camp lasts for nineteen days, featuring ten to fifteen activities daily, generating promotional content for the city that would otherwise require substantial financial investment. It essentially serves as an active vacation festival that highlights a developmental direction for Kolašin. Despite this, we still sense a lack of unified support amidst those who inquire. It’s a reality that could pose a threat from unforeseen challenges that might jeopardize the largest festival in northern Montenegro. Because of this, and due to prior experiences where the camp wasn’t held for five years, we always develop alternatives within our strategic plans.

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