UNESCO's decision to inscribe the Qiang New Year festival on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List reflects China's dedicated efforts and outstanding achievements in safeguarding this endangered cultural tradition.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Thursday added the Qiang New Year festival, celebrated in southwest China's Sichuan province, to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Qiang New Year Festival is the grandest and most important traditional festival for the Qiang ethnic group, who mainly live in the mountainous regions of northwest China. The festival usually falls on the first day of the tenth month of the traditional Chinese calendar.
Celebrating the harvest, sending blessings and praying for peace are the central themes of Qiang New Year, and the ceremonial rituals of song and dance create a uniquely rich cultural atmosphere that reflects the distinctive characteristics of Qiang culture.
"The essence of this festival is to honor the harvest through offerings to the heavens, earth, deities, and ancestral spirits, expressing gratitude and fulfilling vows. After the ceremonies, people gather to enjoy a festive meal, wear traditional clothing, and celebrate with songs and dances. The celebration is marked by vibrant folk customs," said Li Jin, a professor at the School of History and Culture at Sichuan University.
The festival was added in 2009 to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, shortly after the devastating 2008 earthquake struck Sichuan province, which destroyed Qiang villages and their sacred sites.
"With a population of nearly 300,000, the Qiang ethnic group faced the challenge of rebuilding their homes and relocating after the disaster. On a global scale, such reconstruction and displacement often lead to cultural loss. At the time, many were deeply pessimistic, fearing that the Qiang culture might never survive," the professor continued.
In response to the crisis, China's State Council acted swiftly to preserve the Qiang culture, initiating a renewed commitment to heritage preservation.
"This disaster gave the Qiang people an unprecedented sense of urgency about protecting their Qiang New Year. Cultural preservation often suffers from gradual erosion - like a frog in boiling water - losing a little today, a little tomorrow, until it's gone. However, this disaster made them realize the necessity of taking serious action to protect their culture," she explained.