Difference between revisions of "Pageant"
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| − | A [[pageant]] is a particular form of celebratory public event, often a dramatization of a historical or social occurrence. | + | A [[pageant]] is a particular form of celebratory public event, often a dramatization of a historical, political or social occurrence. |
According to the Random House Kernerman ''Webster's College Dictionary'' (© 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd.)[http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pageant] the term [[pageant]] derives from the Middle English ''pagyn'', ''pagaunt'', which in turn may refer to the Anglo-Latin ''pāgina'' (=stage, scene, platform), and can refer to a range of public events, including "1. an elaborate costumed [[procession]] or [[parade]], often with floats, forming part of public or social festivities; 2. an elaborate public spectacle illustrative of the history of a place, institution, or the like; 3. something comparable to such a spectacle or procession in its variety or grandeur: the pageant of Renaissance history; 4. a show or exhibition: e.g a beauty pageant; or 5. (in medieval times) a platform on which scenes from mystery plays were presented". | According to the Random House Kernerman ''Webster's College Dictionary'' (© 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd.)[http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pageant] the term [[pageant]] derives from the Middle English ''pagyn'', ''pagaunt'', which in turn may refer to the Anglo-Latin ''pāgina'' (=stage, scene, platform), and can refer to a range of public events, including "1. an elaborate costumed [[procession]] or [[parade]], often with floats, forming part of public or social festivities; 2. an elaborate public spectacle illustrative of the history of a place, institution, or the like; 3. something comparable to such a spectacle or procession in its variety or grandeur: the pageant of Renaissance history; 4. a show or exhibition: e.g a beauty pageant; or 5. (in medieval times) a platform on which scenes from mystery plays were presented". | ||
Revision as of 06:39, 6 July 2019
A pageant is a particular form of celebratory public event, often a dramatization of a historical, political or social occurrence.
According to the Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary (© 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd.)[1] the term pageant derives from the Middle English pagyn, pagaunt, which in turn may refer to the Anglo-Latin pāgina (=stage, scene, platform), and can refer to a range of public events, including "1. an elaborate costumed procession or parade, often with floats, forming part of public or social festivities; 2. an elaborate public spectacle illustrative of the history of a place, institution, or the like; 3. something comparable to such a spectacle or procession in its variety or grandeur: the pageant of Renaissance history; 4. a show or exhibition: e.g a beauty pageant; or 5. (in medieval times) a platform on which scenes from mystery plays were presented".
Other terms often associated with (or used in place of ) pageant are carnival, tableau, historical enactment
In ESAT the term pageant largely appears as a reference to theatrical events of the kind listed above under items 1 and 2, and particular South African pageants are discussed under Stage Plays - and specifically in the sub-section PLAYS IV: Pageants, carnivals and public performances.
== Some events specifically referred to as pageants
South African Pageant of Union,
Stellenbosch Tercentenary Celebrations.
Sources
The Free Dictionary by Farlex (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pageant)
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