On December 5, CGTN (China) reported that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially recognized the Lunar New Year in China as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This decision came from the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, which took place in Asunción, Paraguay, from December 2 to December 7.
A video about the Lunar New Year was presented during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay, on December 4, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua).
Chinese delegates celebrate the inclusion of the Lunar New Year, a traditional social custom, into the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 19th session in Paraguay, on December 4, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua).
UNESCO emphasized that the Spring Festival, marking the beginning of the traditional Lunar New Year in China, is a time for families to reunite and honor their ancestors. It is a period when people express their hopes and wishes for health, good luck, and prosperity for themselves, their families, friends, and neighbors. Additionally, communities engage in various activities to celebrate together.
According to UNESCO’s documentation, knowledge and traditional customs related to the Lunar New Year are passed down informally within families and communities, as well as formally through educational systems. Crafts and artistic skills associated with the Spring Festival are transmitted through vocational training programs, promoting family values, social cohesion, and a sense of cultural identity.
The committee also highlighted that the Lunar New Year reflects harmony between humans and nature and contributes to sustainable development in areas such as food security and education. This major holiday also plays a significant role in raising environmental awareness.
1.6 billion Asians worldwide celebrate the Lunar New Year
Rao Quan, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, who led the Chinese delegation at the UNESCO session, expressed gratitude for this recognition from UNESCO.
He emphasized that the Lunar New Year is the most important traditional festival in China, symbolizing the hopes of the Chinese people for a better life, fostering close relationships with family and the nation, and embodying values of harmony between humans and nature.
Lanterns are one of the popular decorations during the Lunar New Year. (Photo: Getty Images/Tao 55).
Mr. Rao further explained that the Lunar New Year, passed down through generations, has provided lasting spiritual strength to the Chinese people. Moreover, it plays a crucial role in promoting economic development, tourism, environmental protection, and global cultural exchange.
“Including the Lunar New Year in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list will help promote universal values of peace and harmony while highlighting the important role of intangible cultural heritage in sustainable development,” Mr. Rao stated.
With this addition, China now has 44 cultural heritages or practices recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Professor Sun Jiashan, a collaborative researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism, stated on CGTN that: “The Lunar New Year is a festival preserved and celebrated by the entire Chinese nation for thousands of years. This festival has significant cultural influence not only in China but also worldwide. It is not only celebrated by overseas Chinese; people in Asia also celebrate this ‘Lunar New Year.’
China Daily reported that about 20% of the world’s population (approximately 1.6 billion Asians) continues to joyfully celebrate the Lunar New Year in various forms each year.
The color red symbolizes luck and prosperity during the Lunar New Year. (Photo: Xinhua).
According to Professor Sun Jiashan, the philosophy behind the Spring Festival reflects how the Chinese have used their calendar system to adapt to climate changes and ensure a bountiful harvest for future generations. This ancient wisdom may be even more relevant to modern societies.
The Chinese Lunar New Year is also known as Spring Festival, New Year Festival, or Passing Year. The highlight of this festival is bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new year with hopes for health, peace, happiness, and prosperity.
In 2024, the Lunar New Year will officially be listed as a United Nations Floating Holiday, referring to a paid leave system.
