Ceremonial encompasses the formulas and formalities that must be respected in a solemn or public act.
Ceremonial is a term whose etymological origin is found in the Latin word caeremoniālis . The concept can be used as an adjective or as a noun depending on the context .
In the first case, ceremonial qualifies that linked to the use of a ceremony . Ceremonies, meanwhile, are actions that are carried out according to customs, rules or laws to pay homage, tribute or reverence to someone or something .
What is the ceremonial
As a noun, ceremonial refers to the set of formulas and formalities that must be respected in the development of a solemn or public act . The notion can also refer to the document that includes those ceremonies that must be followed in certain events.
Ceremonial is very important in a government and in different public institutions. In fact, it is common for there to be areas or offices dedicated to planning and supervising these issues, generally included under the heading of Ceremonial and Protocol .
It is interesting to note, on the other hand, that there are various courses, careers and training that allow you to learn everything related to ceremonial. An example is the University Technician in Ceremonial and Protocol , which is taught at the Catholic University of Salta ( UCASAL ).
Taking care of the forms in an event is one of the objectives of the ceremony.
The importance of shapes
A ceremony is, by definition, an external act : that is, it takes place in public. Many organizations and entities develop public events of a formal nature that must attend to the ceremonial to take care of the conventions and even the image that is offered to society .
A ceremonial specialist, therefore, must know perfectly what the principles, etiquette and guidelines that govern ceremonies are. In this framework, it must have notions of institutional relations , since ceremonial is usually associated with links with other organizations and with the community in general.
Complying with the formalities of each act, implementing logistics , ordering according to hierarchy and guaranteeing the aesthetics and harmony of the manifestations are some of the functions of the ceremonial expert.
Ceremonial in the State and in the private sector
It is common for the ceremony to be associated with diplomacy and state acts in general. However, it is increasingly common for companies , non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private associations of different types to pay attention to ceremonial when carrying out their public events.
The person in charge of the ceremony must take care of and place the signage and symbols of the event. They must also be able to advise those who will be protagonists of the actions and assume protocol communication .
Those responsible for ceremonies, on the other hand, must establish the guidelines for the treatment and behavior of those involved in the events. For this they can resort to legislation , customs or simply common sense.
The example of the Olympic Games
Let's take the case of the Olympic Games to analyze how ceremonial is applied. In this sporting event, the ceremonial encompasses the symbolic and protocol actions that give official status to the competition .
The Olympic Charter includes these symbolisms and details the way in which the ceremonies should be carried out. The Olympic ceremony, in this framework, includes the opening and closing ceremonies, the parade of the athletes, the lighting of the Olympic flame, etc.