Deepavali Added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List; India Hosts Key ICH Session in Delhi

Deepavali, the festival of lights, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO announced the inclusion on Wednesday during the ongoing Intergovernmental Committee session being hosted at Delhi’s Red Fort.

“New inscription on the #IntangibleHeritage List: Deepavali, #India. Congratulations!” UNESCO posted on X.

Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat welcomed the recognition, calling Deepavali “deeply emotional for Indians” and emphasising that the UNESCO tag brings with it the responsibility to preserve the festival as a living heritage.

The 20th session of the ICH Committee is being held from December 8 to 13, chaired by India’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Vishal V Sharma.

Other New Inscriptions on the 2024–25 List Include:

• Iceland – Swimming pool culture

• Haiti – The Compas

• Ghana – Highlife music and dance

• Georgia – Wheat culture

• Ethiopia – Gifaataa, Wolaita New Year festival

• El Salvador – Confraternity of flowers and palms

• Egypt – Koshary, everyday national dish

• Czechia – Amateur theatre acting

• Cyprus – Commandaria wine

• Cuba – Practice of Cuban Son

• Yemen – Hadrami Dan gathering