מִפְגָּן Mifgan (dana)
As I searched the internet, looking for Hebrew versions of the term “performance” I came across an article that described an architecture exhibition. The article described the term “performance” as having two aspects: an aspect of efficiency and fulfillment on one hand, and an aspect of a spectacle, or the appearance of certain theatrical and perceptual phenomena, on the other hand. The article’s author argued that this term has no direct translation to Hebrew.
I chose to analyze the Hebrew word “mifgan” because I think that this word does combine these different aspects of the term “performance”. The etymological origin of the word is the Aramaic word “pgan”. The original meaning of the word is to shout, to cry, to scream. The dictionary offers these translations: parade, tattoo, demonstration, rally, show and spectacle.
In Modern Hebrew the word bears the following meaning- an order of an organized group that is able to perform or demonstrate power and discipline. In everyday language, this word is frequently used in the context of the Israeli military’s performance in Independence Day.
“Mifgan Yom Ha’azmaut” is the army parade or performance that is acted yearly on the celebration of the Israeli independence day. I chose to analyze this term and event not because it cannot be translated, or that it is exclusive to the Israeli culture. This performance is not unique, but I think that it is well connected to the Israeli militarism. This event is a representation of a common atmosphere within the Israeli society. To my opinion, mifgan offers a challenge of redefining the relations between performance and national identity.
Different aspects of the mifgan, which could be discussed further in the context of performance studies:
1. A spectacle, a show of entertainment value. People observe the mifgan for the purpose of having a good time.
2. A performance of military efficiency. The show includes both machine and man: it is a stage for showing new and sophisticated weapons, as well as the skills of trained soldiers.
3. The show is a spectacle of nationality, for it is acted on the celebration of independence; its performers are the state’s soldiers and its spectators are the state’s citizens. One of the main ends of the mifgan is to stress the joint identity and strength of the national community.
4. The presentation of the army weapons bears both an aesthetic aspect and the potential of violence. This potential violence is addressed to two kinds of audiences, the present (the citizens of the state) who should be reassured by the state’s military power and the absent (the state’s enemies) who should fear these soldiers and weapons.
Definitions of related terms from the Oxford Hebrew-English Dictionary:
Parade: an official gathering of soldiers etc/ especially for a ceremony. מסדר, מצעד
Gathering for a viewing ceremony or procession: a circus parade, a fashion parade. תצוגה
Rally: a large public gathering for a political or social cause: a political rally' a peace rally. כינוס, עצרת
Demonstration: an act of showing clearly the facts, how something works etc.: a demonstration for a new car הדגמה
A public display of feeling or opinion e.g. by marching, by group, e.g. of workers, students: a demonstration against nuclear weapons/ for jobs. הפגנה , מפגן
March: a large public demonstration by people walking: a march in support of human rights. מצעד הפגנתי
Tattoo: a public entertainment, with music, marching etc by soldiers. A military tattoo. מפגן צבאי
I chose to analyze the Hebrew word “mifgan” because I think that this word does combine these different aspects of the term “performance”. The etymological origin of the word is the Aramaic word “pgan”. The original meaning of the word is to shout, to cry, to scream. The dictionary offers these translations: parade, tattoo, demonstration, rally, show and spectacle.
In Modern Hebrew the word bears the following meaning- an order of an organized group that is able to perform or demonstrate power and discipline. In everyday language, this word is frequently used in the context of the Israeli military’s performance in Independence Day.
“Mifgan Yom Ha’azmaut” is the army parade or performance that is acted yearly on the celebration of the Israeli independence day. I chose to analyze this term and event not because it cannot be translated, or that it is exclusive to the Israeli culture. This performance is not unique, but I think that it is well connected to the Israeli militarism. This event is a representation of a common atmosphere within the Israeli society. To my opinion, mifgan offers a challenge of redefining the relations between performance and national identity.
Different aspects of the mifgan, which could be discussed further in the context of performance studies:
1. A spectacle, a show of entertainment value. People observe the mifgan for the purpose of having a good time.
2. A performance of military efficiency. The show includes both machine and man: it is a stage for showing new and sophisticated weapons, as well as the skills of trained soldiers.
3. The show is a spectacle of nationality, for it is acted on the celebration of independence; its performers are the state’s soldiers and its spectators are the state’s citizens. One of the main ends of the mifgan is to stress the joint identity and strength of the national community.
4. The presentation of the army weapons bears both an aesthetic aspect and the potential of violence. This potential violence is addressed to two kinds of audiences, the present (the citizens of the state) who should be reassured by the state’s military power and the absent (the state’s enemies) who should fear these soldiers and weapons.
Definitions of related terms from the Oxford Hebrew-English Dictionary:
Parade: an official gathering of soldiers etc/ especially for a ceremony. מסדר, מצעד
Gathering for a viewing ceremony or procession: a circus parade, a fashion parade. תצוגה
Rally: a large public gathering for a political or social cause: a political rally' a peace rally. כינוס, עצרת
Demonstration: an act of showing clearly the facts, how something works etc.: a demonstration for a new car הדגמה
A public display of feeling or opinion e.g. by marching, by group, e.g. of workers, students: a demonstration against nuclear weapons/ for jobs. הפגנה , מפגן
March: a large public demonstration by people walking: a march in support of human rights. מצעד הפגנתי
Tattoo: a public entertainment, with music, marching etc by soldiers. A military tattoo. מפגן צבאי
Ritaulization of American sport
*no longer just about the playing of the game, morphed into a display of individual celebrity
*hyper-performative, over the top extravagant
*pre and post show games, special types of interaction between fans and individual players, celebrations of touchdown, superstitions, ways of dress and expression of one's team loyalty...
Morenada
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