The term "convention" seems to be quite recognizable, however, to determine its meaning is not always easy. The convention is a word that includes various meanings that are close to each other and at the same time differ in essence. We will understand what this word means and what is the area of its use.
Definition and essence
The word "convention" comes from lat. conventus, which means meeting or gathering. It is worth mentioning another Latin word - conventio, translated as a treaty, agreement. Based on these two source words, a convention is a meeting designed to agree on any things, phenomena, events, laws. Most conventions cover a wide range of issues. We can say that this meeting is endowed with unlimited power in the areas for which it was established.
Scopes of the term
Conventions exist in various fields of culture. The most famous are political versions. For example, a convention is:
- A meeting of elected deputies vested with legislative powers.
- Council of Elders or Individual Representatives of Various Political Factions (Signoren Convention).
One of the first to use this form of assembly was the Freemasons, who thus held their congresses or annual meetings. European Masonic conventions have been known since the 18th century. In Russia they were called assemblies.
In the practice of religious Catholics, a convention is a monastery. As a rule, the term refers to a convent or convent school. Here it unites members of the same monastic order, less often - people who have a common lifestyle or a similar fate (for example, the Ekka Convention for widows in Latvia).
Convention in history
The most famous term is thanks to France, in 1792-1795. the main form of government was the Convention.
The National Convention replaced the king’s power and proclaimed the Republic, executing
Louis XVI on the guillotine. He performed the functions of legislative, executive and judicial powers, which were distributed among various committees and commissions.
Within the National Convention, a serious struggle was unfolding between party representatives, which was aggravated by the socio-political situation in the country. Popular uprisings and the fall of the Jacobin regime lead to its renewal. A new form of assembly is being formed, named after the month of formation - Thermidorian.
The Thermidorian Convention ends the revolutionary terror, gradually approaching the views of the royalists, who subsequently come to power in France. Its activity is due to the support of the rich bourgeoisie, the ideas of civil equality. At the same time, his reign was marked by ostentatious luxury and wastefulness in the post-revolutionary period, difficult for the French people. The Thermidorian Convention lasted until 1795.
Convent - Monastery
The peculiarity of the monastery is that when entering into its system, it is necessary to strictly follow its instructions. The most common convention is a convent. Mandatory conditions for admission to it are physical and mental health, the desire to serve God through his Church. Hence the nature of the convention - an agreement between the Church, God, and one entering the monastery (novice). The main activity of this institution is prayer and contemplation, service. Women's conventions have been known since medieval Europe to the present day.
Modern conventions
Today, youth conventions are becoming a new form of interaction in the field of science and innovation. They are held under the auspices of leading universities of the country, regional or state support. The annual Youth Innovation Convention in Russia has been held since 2008. It is a platform for the development and support of new scientific developments. The Youth Convention is attended by both leading world experts in various scientific fields, as well as novice scientists, researchers, inventors - graduate students, students, high school students. This form of interaction attracts financial investment in Russian science. It is designed to evaluate the
intellectual resources in the field of innovation.
Science fiction conventions
The most broad term will change in this area. Every year, conventions of science fiction writers are held in Russia and the CIS, the most famous of which are Aelita (Yekaterinburg), Roscon (Moscow), Interpresscon (St. Petersburg), White Spot (Kharkov), etc. Many of them are an opportunity to get acquainted with new authors and works, participate in the presentation of prizes, the work of literary studios and readings.
The Convention is also a new form of communication between science fiction lovers. For example, fans of the works of J.R. R. Tolkien, lovers of anime or the series "Star Trek." In these cases, it becomes not just a meeting place for fandoms, but also a kind of home where fantastic worlds come to life. Such conventions are held at various levels - from regional to international and, as a rule, are annual.
Abroad, similar events are held for lovers of filk music (written for science fiction or film worlds).
Regardless of the scope of the term, a convention is a meeting designed to approve something, develop new laws, ways and development prospects. The meaning of the term today has significantly departed from the purely political sound acquired through the French Revolution, and has come to be understood as a form of recognition and development of a new space - scientific, literary, or fictional.