UNESCO inscribed Nowruz on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
The inscription recognized Nowruz as a multinational living tradition rather than the exclusive heritage of one modern nation. The original nomination was submitted by Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, reflecting the festival’s broad cultural geography.
UNESCO described Nowruz as a celebration involving family and community customs, including traditional games, culinary practices, music, dance, oral traditions, and crafts. Its themes include renewal, harmony with nature, peace, solidarity, reconciliation, and neighbourliness.
The inscription is sometimes confused with the United Nations’ later recognition of 21 March as the International Day of Nowruz, which occurred in 2010. UNESCO later expanded the multinational inscription in 2016; the original Representative List inscription, however, dates to 2009.