People take part in celebrations of the Thingyan water festival in Yangon, Myanmar, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)

YANGON -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has inscribed Myanmar traditional New Year Ata Thingyan festival on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council reported on Thursday.

UNESCO's decision was made during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, taking place in Paraguay from Dec. 2 to 7.

Myanmar submitted the nomination file for the Thingyan festival to UNESCO on March 24, 2023, the report said.

This inscription of the Thingyan festival is the result of collaborative efforts by ethnic literature and cultural associations from various states and regions, including Myanmar's cultural heritage preservation association, civil society organizations, and active public participation, the report said.

The inclusion of Thingyan in UNESCO's Representative List brings several benefits, such as enhancing global recognition of the festival, ensuring the preservation and passing down of this cultural heritage to future generations, fostering public appreciation for celebrating Thingyan in its traditional form, and providing Myanmar with valuable experience to submit other cultural elements for similar inscription, it said.