General Awareness

ART AND CULTURE - October 2024

Oct 2024

Dec 17, 2025

Italy becomes first country with UNESCO recognition for its entire national cuisine

Italy has become the first country to receive UNESCO recognition for its entire national cuisine. In December 2025, UNESCO inscribed Italian cooking on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, acknowledging its living traditions that reflect culture, identity, and community life. The decision, announced during UNESCO’s cultural assembly in Delhi, covers Italy’s diverse culinary practices, including pasta, cheese, wine, desserts, and regional foods. The inscription marks a landmark moment in how food heritage is understood globally and highlights cuisine as a shared social experience rather than merely recipes or dishes.

UNESCO inscribes entire Italian national cuisine as intangible heritage.
Recognition announced during UNESCO cultural assembly in Delhi.
Covers diverse culinary traditions: pasta, cheese, wine, desserts, regional foods.
Celebrates cuisine as living cultural practice and social experience.
First time a nation's entire cuisine receives UNESCO status.

Dec 16, 2025

UNESCO Adds Endangered Traditional Arts to Urgent Safeguarding List

UNESCO has added several endangered traditional arts and crafts to its Urgent Safeguarding List. Inclusions include Boreendo, a Pakistani musical instrument; Mwazindika spiritual dance from Kenya; and Dong Ho woodblock printing from Vietnam. The move recognises living cultural practices at risk of disappearance and the need for immediate protection, documentation, and community support. UNESCO emphasizes that safeguarding such crafts preserves cultural diversity, supports intergenerational knowledge transfer, and promotes sustainable development in affected communities, prompting governments and civil society to invest in preservation, capacity-building, and awareness campaigns at both global and local levels.

UNESCO adds Boreendo (Pakistan), Mwazindika (Kenya), Dong Ho (Vietnam) to urgent list.
Aims to protect endangered intangible cultural heritage.
Emphasises documentation and community support.
Encourages global and local safeguarding efforts.

Commemorative Stamp for Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar Released

India released a commemorative postage stamp honouring Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II (Suvaran Maran) in December 2025 at the Vice-President Enclave, New Delhi. The event extends government efforts to recognise unsung rulers and cultural icons of Tamil Nadu. The Vice-President highlighted the emperor's long rule from Tiruchirappalli, spanning nearly four decades, noting administrative stability, territorial expansion, cultural patronage, and military prowess. The stamp edition reinforces cultural heritage and aims to raise public awareness of regional history within national narratives.

Commemorative stamp released for Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II.
Event held at Vice-President Enclave, New Delhi, December 2025.
Emperor ruled Tiruchirappalli for nearly four decades (7th–9th centuries).
Stamp supports cultural heritage recognition.

Dec 15, 2025

India to open its first energy museum in Patna, Bihar

Bihar will host the country’s first energy museum at the decommissioned Karbigahiya Thermal Power Station in Patna. The project will occupy a 3‑acre campus and is designed to preserve the power sector’s heritage while promoting educational outreach and tourism. The Bihar Museum leadership and power‑sector officials outlined a detailed plan, including timelines and selection of the executing agency. The museum aims to showcase India’s energy evolution, celebrate innovations in power generation, and serve as a research and public outreach hub for students, professionals, and visitors.

India’s first energy museum to open in Patna
Location: Karbigahiya Thermal Power Station site
Focus: heritage, education, and tourism

Dec 14, 2025

Bhartiya Bhasha Utsav 2025 Celebrated in New Delhi

Bhartiya Bhasha Utsav 2025 was organised in New Delhi to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati. Celebrating the nation's rich linguistic diversity, the Ministry of Education organised the event under the theme 'Many Languages, One Emotion'. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs also participated in the celebration, highlighting the depth, vibrancy, and cultural significance of various tribal languages. A stall featuring tribal language publications from the Tribal Research Institutes of Jharkhand, Odisha, and Gujarat was set up by the ministry as part of the celebration. The stall also featured a live demonstration of the Adi Vaani app, designed to enable real-time text and speech translation between Hindi or English and tribal languages. The event also witnessed vibrant cultural performances from schools representing diverse regions of the country.

Dec 10, 2025

UNESCO intangible heritage: Red Fort and related events highlighted

The Red Fort hosts sessions and public programs related to intangible cultural heritage, highlighting India’s commitment to protecting traditional knowledge and performing arts. Official events focus on documentation, education, and public engagement to safeguard culture for future generations. The initiative aligns with UNESCO guidelines and India’s broader cultural policy, emphasizing inclusivity and regional diversity. Government and cultural bodies coordinate exhibitions, lectures, and performances to raise awareness of India's living traditions and intangible heritage’s role in social cohesion and national identity.

UNESCO-linked intangible heritage programs highlighted at Red Fort events.
Focus on safeguarding traditional knowledge and performing arts.
Public lectures, exhibitions, and performances promoted by cultural bodies.
Part of India’s broader policy to protect living cultural heritage.

Gita Mahotsav marked with devotion at Panibharatha Theatre, Colombo

In Colombo, Sri Lanka, Gita Mahotsav was celebrated at Panibharatha Theatre as part of a broader India-Colombo cultural exchange. The High Commission of India organized the event, featuring Kandyan dance and Bharatanatyam performances, and underscored the Bhagavad Gita’s timeless message. Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Satyanjal Pandey inaugurated the ceremony. The festival highlighted India’s cultural link with Sri Lanka through hands-on performances and academic sessions, reinforcing people-to-people ties and shared heritage. The event formed part of ongoing cultural diplomacy initiatives supported by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre and partner institutions.

Gita Mahotsav celebrated in Colombo as part of India-Colombo cultural exchange.
Event featured Kandyan dance and Bharatanatyam performances.
Inauguration by Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Satyanjal Pandey.
Highlights shared Bhagavad Gita teachings and cultural diplomacy.

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