This week, as millions of people around the world celebrate the Spring Festival, there is even more reason for festivity. Just last month, UNESCO inscribed the social practices surrounding the Chinese New Year onto its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This recognition is a powerful acknowledgement not just of the cultural richness of the Spring Festival but of its enduring global significance. As Chinese communities mark the beginning of the Lunar New Year, the 2025 celebration carries with it a special sense of pride and accomplishment, underscored by this international recognition.
The timing of this UNESCO honour couldn’t be more perfect. Every year, the Spring Festival marks a moment of renewal and reflection. It’s a time when families gather to celebrate the end of one year and the hopeful beginning of another. In China and across the globe, traditions like the family reunion dinner, the dragon dances and the stunning displays of red decorations fill the air with joy and anticipation. However, this year, as the festival begins, there is an added layer of meaning: a celebration of a cultural heritage that is now officially recognized on the world stage. The Spring Festival is no longer just a holiday; it is a symbol of cultural resilience, global connection and shared humanity.
UNESCO’s decision to include Spring Festival on its list underscores the universal values embedded in its traditions. Beyond the fireworks and the feasts, the Spring Festival encapsulates core human aspirations: family, unity, renewal, and the hope for prosperity. This is a festival that transcends borders. Whether in Beijing, Nairobi, New York or beyond, Spring Festival has become an opportunity for people to embrace Chinese culture, understand its rich traditions, and participate in celebrations that, in many ways, reflect shared human desires for peace and togetherness.
For the Chinese community in Kenya, for instance, the Spring Festival takes on an even deeper significance this year. The festival has already become a point of cultural connection between locals and the Chinese community. Last week, events held at Two Rivers Mall, the United Nations Headquarters, the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi among others provide a chance for Kenyans to experience firsthand the vibrant customs, music, and traditions that define this time of year. These cross-cultural exchanges reinforce the idea that the recognition of Spring Festival is not just a tribute to China’s cultural heritage—it is an opportunity for the world to learn, connect, and grow together through shared celebration.
Moreover, UNESCO’s recognition also carries the message that cultural heritage is not static. It is dynamic, evolving, and essential to shaping the future. The inclusion of Spring Festival in this prestigious list highlights the importance of preserving and promoting such practices, ensuring they remain a living, breathing part of our global cultural landscape. For China, this UNESCO listing is not just a victory in cultural preservation, but a call to the world to safeguard intangible cultural treasures that form the backbone of diverse communities across the planet.
This year’s Spring Festival celebrations are not only a reflection of China’s enduring cultural legacy but also a reminder of the interconnectedness of global traditions. As families gather to share meals, engage in age-old customs, and celebrate the arrival of a new year, they are part of a much larger movement—one that links generations, continents, and cultures. With UNESCO’s official endorsement, Spring Festival stands as a testament to the power of cultural heritage to foster global understanding, unity, and peace.
In this way, the celebrations carry an even greater sense of meaning. As people across the world gather to mark the Spring Festival, they are not only participating in one of the world’s oldest traditions but also celebrating its continued relevance in an ever-changing world. With its inclusion in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, Spring Festival is now firmly embedded in the global consciousness—not just as a Chinese tradition, but as a cultural treasure that belongs to all of humanity.
It is a moment to reflect on the beauty of human connection and the strength of traditions that continue to bring us together, regardless of where we are.
Elijah Mwangi is a scholar based in Nairobi; he comments on local and global matters.
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