Dhaka, Apr 18 (V7N)-  The proposed renaming of 'Mangal Shobhajatra' to 'Barshavaran Ananda Shobhajatra' could jeopardize its current recognition by UNESCO, unless a new application is submitted and approved, the global cultural body has confirmed.

UNESCO included the vibrant New Year procession on Pahela Baishakh in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016, under the name “Mangal Shobhajatra on Pahela Baishakh.”

With Dhaka University authorities announcing on April 11 that the procession will now be called ‘Barshavaran Ananda Shobhajatra’, questions arose about the status of UNESCO’s prestigious recognition.

In response, a UNESCO spokesperson clarified:

“Names of recognized cultural heritage elements can be changed, but it requires a fresh application. The new name must be submitted for approval to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which comprises 24 member countries.”

So far, no formal request has been submitted to UNESCO to change the name, the spokesperson confirmed.

Cultural activists and heritage experts have expressed concern that the name change—though symbolic—may affect the global visibility and official heritage status of this unique Bengali tradition.

END/MSS/AJ