‘Hornbill Festival’ begins in Nagaland with rich cultural display on 63rd Statehood Day
Kohima, Dec 1 (LatestNewsX) – The 26th Hornbill Festival started on Monday at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, right on Nagaland’s 63rd Statehood Day. The week‑long celebration, running from December 1 to 10, is hosted by the state’s chief leader, Neiphiu Rio, who said the event shows the Naga way of living – a deep sense of unity, respect for ancestors, and vibrant living traditions.
Rio highlighted the Unity Plaza in the main arena as a symbol of collective hopes for peace and prosperity. He welcomed six partner countries — Austria, Malta, France, Ireland, the UK and Switzerland — and Arunachal Pradesh as a partner state, calling the gathering a proud platform for friendship and collaboration. He noted how music, dance, textiles and community life weave Naga identity, and that the festival now serves as a global stage for building ties.
The chief leader added that the festival’s reach has spread to six districts across the state and urged visitors to act as ambassadors of Nagaland, sharing their experiences with friends and family. He praised the efforts of local citizens to ensure guests feel comfortable during their stay.
Acting Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla spoke about the festival’s role in celebrating Nagaland’s cultural heritage, unity and identity. He described the event as a showcase of the region’s rich traditions, bright art, and enduring values. Governor Bhalla also underlined the state’s diverse culture—dance, folk music, indigenous games, crafts and cuisine—bringing them to life during the festival. Over time, he said the event has become a key platform for tourism, entrepreneurship and cultural exchange, empowering youth, artisans and the creative sector while placing Nagaland prominently on national and global cultural maps. He encouraged sustainable tourism, stressing ecological sensitivity and the need for practices that benefit grassroots communities. He also commended the collective contributions of government bodies, tribal groups, troupes and entrepreneurs.
International guests added their perspectives. Irish ambassador Kevin Kelly highlighted shared histories of freedom and inspiration, while Austrian trade commissioner Hans‑Jorg Hortnagl invited the chief minister to send a business delegation to Austria, following a Naga delegation’s recent startup event in Vienna. British Council director Debanjan Chakrabarti emphasized the breadth of UK–Nagaland ties beyond culture, into business, trade, education, research and technology. Swiss ambassador Maya Tissafi spoke of the rich Naga traditions and how the festival bridges generations, communities and nations, reminding everyone of diversity and the unity that promotes peace. French ambassador Thierry Mathou noted the expanding France‑India relationship and the wish to deepen cooperation in IT, education, tourism and music.
The festival also featured cultural rituals: Bishop of Kohima Rev. James Thoppil led an invocation, followed by blessings from Tomwang, an 87‑year‑old elder of Longwa village. State Minister for Tourism, Higher Education and Festival Host Temjen Imna Along thanked the people of Nagaland for enduring resilience and showcasing heritage worldwide. He highlighted that the Hornbill festival is not only a celebration of culture but also of unity and oneness within the Naga community.
The 26th edition, 2025, promises to showcase Nagaland’s rich cultural diversity, heritage and artistic traditions.
sc/khz
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