February 21st 2025.
Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, is making efforts to gain international recognition for the annual Bali Yatra festival that is held in the city of Cuttack. As announced by Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Friday, the state government has formed a team of experts who are working towards getting the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage recognition for this festival.
During the Assembly session, Congress MLA Sofia Firdous and BJD legislator Devi Ranjan Tripathy urged the government to take steps to make Bali Yatra a national festival. In response, Minister Suraj clarified that while the government can promote and give identity to a festival at the national level, they cannot grant state or national level recognition in writing. This recognition can only be given by UNESCO, which is why the government has taken steps to get international recognition for Bali Yatra.
Suraj further explained that the government has formed an expert team that is in communication with UNESCO. In the near future, a delegation from UNESCO will be visiting the state and the government is hopeful that Bali Yatra will gain the prestigious recognition from UNESCO. The festival, known as one of the largest trade fairs, celebrates the maritime trade ties of the region with Southeast Asia. It commemorates the return of ancient voyages of maritime traders from Bali, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and Sri Lanka.
The minister also mentioned that the government is taking similar steps to get recognition for Dhanu Yatra, an annual open-air theatrical programme held in Bargarh town. These efforts by the government showcase their commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Odisha at an international level.
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