CM Rio releases book on Hornbill Festival's journey

DIMAPUR — Tracing the journey of Hornbill Festival since its inception in the year 2000, a book titled, ‘Journey of the Hornbill Festival: Through the lens of Kohima Press Club’ was formally released on Tuesday by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at Kisama.

In his speech, the chief minister termed the book as an important document and congratulated members of the Kohima Press Club (KPC) on the publication.

Advisor to the chief minister and Chairman of Investment Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), Abu Metha said that he has personally gone through the book and lauded the press club's "fantastic work" in publishing the book.

The book was published by PenThrill as its 113th publication, with funding support from the Department of Tourism.

The other contributors of the book include Asonuo, Atono Tsükrü Kense, Chizokho Vero, Medolenuo Ambrocia, and Reyivolu Rhakho, are all members of the KPC.

In the introduction of the book, the editors noted that, "what started in the year 2000, marking the end of the second millennium amidst a history of conflict, Hornbill Festival has traversed a pathbreaking journey over the last 25 years."

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From a very humble beginning at Khouchiezie (Kohima local ground) at a time when the process of obtaining the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and Inner Line Permit (ILP) was not the easiest thing to do, they also expressed that "the Hornbill Festival has evolved marvellously over the years".

"We have also embarked on this important journey of documenting the 25 years of Hornbill Festival through the prism of the Kohima Press Club — one of the oldest press clubs in the state,  that is on the brink of celebrating our 25th anniversary on 20th January, 2026," the introduction highlighted. 

They further expressed hope that the book "would serve as an evocative document reflecting our state’s collective memory and further represent the journey of our history, culture, and identity."

The book is priced at INR 1500 and contains stories based on interviews with Dr. SC Jamir under whose chief ministership, Hornbill Festival was conceived and conceptualized in the year 2000 and other founding committee members including former chief secretaries of Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir and Banuo Z. Jamir, LH Thangi Manen, among several others.