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Kohima, Oct 30 (IANS) Nagaland is preparing to host the 26th edition of the annual ‘Hornbill Festival’, coinciding with the Statehood Day celebrations, officials said on Thursday.
Like previous years, thousands of people from different parts of India and abroad are expected to attend the ten-day famous ‘Hornbill Festival’ at the picturesque Naga heritage village Kisama between December 1 and 10, a senior official of the Department of Tourism and Art and Culture said.
He said the fourth edition of Nagaland’s ‘Autumn Festival’ was held in New Delhi last week as the inauguration of the 26th edition of the state’s prestigious ‘Hornbill Festival’.
He said at the two-day ‘Autumn Festival’ held at the lawns of Nagaland House in the national capital, Sumi Students Union, Delhi performed a vigorous war dance at the opening and closing ceremonies, while Naga artistes like Colorful Keys, Women’s Band, The Easter Project, Tiatemsu Jamir and Kiki Longkumar entertained the crowd by singing popular songs.
Traditional Naga textiles, ‘The Indigo Medley’ designed by Kintem were also showcased during the event. Sharon Longchari, Joint Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, New Delhi delivered the welcome address and the program was moderated by Bangshing Panja.
Ireland’s Ambassador to India Kevin Kelly was the chief guest on the second day of the ‘Autumn Festival’, while Nagaland’s Minister of Tourism and Higher Education Temjen Imna Along was the chief host of the event, while Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and Chairman of IDAAN (Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland) Abu Metha was the co-host.
Kevin Kelly said that as seen through the festival, the distinctive Naga identity expressed with genuine confidence is a reminder that the heritage is alive, evolving and shared.
He highlighted the historical similarities between Ireland, India and Nagaland in emerging together from colonial rule, which, he said, gives a special depth to the relationship.
The Ambassador also pointed out that one common thing that Ireland and Nagaland share is an awareness of the importance of identity and respecting different and diverse identities.
He also expressed his excitement to visit Nagaland with his colleagues later this year and experience the Hornbill Festival firsthand.
Last year (2024) the silver jubilee edition of the carnival attracted over 2.05 lakh people from different parts of India and abroad, which is 33 per cent more than 2023, the tourism and art and culture department official said.
Of the 2.05 lakh people, 2,527 were foreign tourists, 54,036 were from different parts of the country, and the rest were from different parts of the state.
In 2023, at least 1,54,057 visitors visited Kisama, a Naga heritage village 12 km from the state capital Kohima. Officials said Japan, US, UK (Wales) and Peru were the country partners in the silver jubilee edition of the Hornbill Festival in 2024 while Sikkim and Telangana were the partner states. More than 50 cultural troupes from different parts of Nagaland and all the eight North Eastern States showcased their traditional and diverse cultures.
–IANS
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