Spring Festival recognized as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO signifying China’s deep rooted affiliation to its cultural roots.
UNESCO has officially inscribed the Spring Festival, a traditional celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition highlights the festival’s deep cultural significance and rich social practices that unite Chinese communities.
The decision was made during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Paraguay from December 2 to 7. The committee acknowledged the festival’s extensive rituals and cultural elements, which engage people across all levels of Chinese society.
UNESCO emphasized that the Spring Festival includes a variety of customs such as prayers for prosperity, family reunions, and community-led festive events. Elders plan many of these traditions, while communities organize public celebrations, enriching the cultural fabric of the occasion.
According to UNESCO, the festival’s customs and traditional knowledge are preserved both informally within families and communities and formally through educational programs. Skills like craftsmanship and artistry related to the festival are passed down via apprenticeships, fostering family values, social unity, and a sense of cultural identity.
The committee also recognized the Spring Festival’s symbolic harmony between humans and nature, contributing to sustainable development in areas such as food security and education. The festival plays a significant role in enhancing environmental awareness and promoting balance within ecosystems.
China’s vice minister of Culture and Tourism, Rao Quan, who led the delegation at the UNESCO session, expressed appreciation for the recognition. He described the Spring Festival as China’s most significant traditional holiday, embodying aspirations for a better life, strong family bonds, and a deep connection to nature.
Rao noted that the festival, passed down through generations, has been a source of enduring spiritual strength for the Chinese people. It fosters family and social harmony, supports economic growth, protects the environment, and encourages cultural exchanges globally.
He further highlighted that the UNESCO designation will promote the universal values of peace and harmony and showcase the vital role of intangible cultural heritage in achieving sustainable development.
With this recognition, China now has 44 cultural practices and traditions inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, reflecting the country’s rich cultural legacy.
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