It’s official: Deepavali is now a UNESCO-recognised cultural treasure

It's official: Deepavali is now a certified world-class treasure. At its 20th session – held appropriately enough at Delhi's iconic Red Fort – the UNESCO committee officially added India's Festival of Lights to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Anyone who's ever celebrated Deepavali already knows its a big deal, but this nod puts the festival on the same global pedestal as practices like yoga and Paraguayan poncho-weaving. It's all about the spotlight on the traditions that make us human, whether they're massive global parties or niche village crafts.

For those new to the festivities, Deepavali (or Diwali) celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. The celebration involves the iconic clay lamps that Indians light outside their homes, but celebrants also gather for prayers, feasts, and firework displays. It's a Hindu tradition at heart, but celebrated by just about everyone across the Indian diaspora.

Deepavali is now the 16th Indian tradition on the list, joining the likes of the Chhau Dance and the Garba of Gujarat. The committee was busy this year, also handing out honours to Arabic kohl, Iceland's legendary swimming pool culture, Swiss yodelling, and the delicate art of Japanese washi paper. 

It wasn't all just celebrations, though. UNESCO also flagged several traditions that need "urgent safeguarding" to keep them from disappearing. These include the Filipino craft of making asin tibuok (artisanal sea salt) and the traditional construction of quincha houses in Panama. 

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