TEHRAN (Iran News) Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced the development on Friday, calling Mehregan a symbol of unity and collaboration.

“Following Nowruz and Sadeh, Mehregan has now become the third Iranian ritual to be inscribed on UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage,” Baghaei stated in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“Congratulations! Mehregan represents kindness and tolerance among Iranian ethnic groups and highlights the cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran in preserving and promoting their shared historical, civilizational, and cultural heritage,” he added.

Baghaei underscored the responsibility to honor and revive the cultural and human connections among the region’s nations, calling it a shared duty.

Mehregan, celebrated on the 16th day of Mehr, the seventh month in the Iranian calendar—corresponding to October 8 in the Gregorian calendar—, marks the arrival of autumn. The festival, rooted in ancient Persian traditions dating back to the Achaemenid era or earlier, symbolizes themes of love, unity, and renewal.

The celebration includes family gatherings, shared meals, gift exchanges, and rituals expressing gratitude for nature’s abundance. Its customs emphasize kindness, tolerance, and cultural preservation, reflecting Iranian values of hospitality and social harmony.

Mehregan also serves as a bridge between past and present, strengthening bonds within the community and showcasing the enduring richness of Persian civilization.