Nagaland: Hornbill Festival commences with grand opening ceremony
Kohima: The 26th edition of the 10-day Hornbill Festival, which commenced at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, on Monday, witnessed a vibrant opening, celebrating Nagaland’s rich cultural diversity, heritage, and artistic traditions.
The festival opened with the largest-ever international participation, featuring six partner countries - Austria, Malta, Switzerland, Ireland, France, and the United Kingdom - along with Arunachal Pradesh as the state partner.
Gracing the opening ceremony as the chief host, Nagaland Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla highlighted the significance of the festival as a celebration of the state’s cultural heritage, unity, and identity.
Bhalla noted that the Hornbill Festival stands as a testament to Nagaland’s rich traditions, vibrant art forms, and enduring values.
He emphasised that the festival reflects the collective resilience of the Naga people and their commitment to preserving the legacy handed down by their ancestors.
Chief Minister and host of the festival, Neiphiu Rio, stated that the Hornbill Festival is an expression of the Naga way of life, representing their unity and oneness.
He added that it signifies the rich legacy, living traditions, and respect for the ancestors.
Emphasising the significance of the Unity Plaza at the main arena of the Naga Heritage Village, Rio said it is a symbol of the Nagas’ oneness and shared hope for a peaceful and prosperous future.
He also said it was an honour to have six countries as partner countries and Arunachal Pradesh as a partner state.
Ambassador of Ireland to India, Kevin Kelly, in his greetings, shared the Ireland-India relations, including their fight for freedom and aspirations that inspire each other.
He further stated that Nagaland shares with the world a festival of affirmation of identity, resilience and creative energy.
Director, British Council, Dr Debanjan Chakrabarti, highlighted some of the British and Naga ties. He said Nagaland and the United Kingdom relations go beyond cultural ties and mulled for ties in business & trade, education & research, and science & technology.
Ambassador of Switzerland Maya Tissafi spoke about the rich traditions of the Naga people and highlighted how this festival brings together tribes, families, visitors, and friends from across India.
She praised the creativity and skill of Naga artists, saying that their performances are deeply inspiring. Ambassador of France to India Thierry Mathou said France is keen to further collaborate with India and Nagaland in IT, education, tourism, and music.
On Day 1 of the festival, visitors were treated to a special performance titled “Hornbill Dream” by the Task Force for Music and Arts, which featured captivating cultural and musical items, showcasing the rich and vibrant culture and traditions of Nagaland.
The dignitaries also took part in the Kisama Walk, which included a visit to the traditional morungs, followed by a state dinner.
Thousands of people, including tourists from different parts of India and around the globe, attended the inaugural function.