Hornbill Festival kicks off in Kohima

AJAY THAMI

KOHIMA,: The highly anticipated Hornbill Festival 2024 kicked off Sunday evening at Kisama Heritage Village in Kohima, Nagaland. The festival, which is in its 25^th year, will run until December 10.

The welcome address was delivered by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who warmly welcomed all attendees to the “Land of Festivals” and the “Festival of Festivals.”

The Chief Minister acknowledged the contributions of State partner governments, including Telangana and Sikkim, as well as global partners from Japan, Peru, the United States, Wales and the United Kingdom. He highlighted the significance of the Hornbill Festival, which showcases Nagaland's rich cultural heritage and brings together people from diverse tribes and communities in a spirit of unity.

Rio praised the resilience, creativity, and unity of the Naga people, whose efforts have made the festival a globally recognized event over the past 25 years. He invited all guests to immerse themselves in Nagaland’s vibrant culture and return as ambassadors to share their experiences with others.

Nagaland Governor LA Ganesan, in his address, emphasized the festival’s importance as a celebration of Nagaland's diverse tribes and cultural unity. He said that the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival is a moment to reflect on the achievements of the past and celebrate India's unity in diversity.

The Governor thanked the global and national guests for their presence and emphasized that the festival provides an opportunity to foster deeper cultural understanding through shared experiences.

During the inaugural ceremony, Nagaland’s tourism department felicitated several distinguished guests including Keiichi Ono, Ambassador of Japan to India; Javier Manuel Paulinich Velarde, Ambassador of Peru to India, and Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India. Other honorees included musician A.R. Rahman, Alison Barrett, country director of the British Council, and various representatives from international organizations.

At the festival this year, Sikkim has set up various traditional food and handicraft stalls besides highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Sikkim.