France joins growing list of Hornbill Festival 2025 partner countries

DIMAPUR — France has been confirmed as a Country Partner for Hornbill Festival 2025, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced on Wednesday—adding to a growing list of nations set to collaborate with Nagaland for this year’s edition of the state’s flagship cultural event.

Earlier this week, Austria, Malta, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Switzerland were also announced as partner countries for the annual 10-day festival.

In a post on X, Rio said that France’s “admired culture and creativity” would enrich the event and deepen cooperation in culture, investment and innovation.

He thanked French Ambassador Thierry Mathou and the Embassy of France in India for the partnership.

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Mathou, who met the chief minister on Tuesday, said that he reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting development in the North-East, noting ongoing engagement with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) in economic, technological, educational and cultural sectors.

Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia welcomed the collaboration, expressing confidence that partnerships with France would contribute to “meaningful and enduring outcomes” for the region.