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Kisama —The silver edition of Hornbill Festival spread its wings and embarked one more time on its annual flight on Sunday evening at the newly revamped Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, as visitors packed the main arena, amphitheatre, and the ground.
Chief host of the festival, Governor La Ganesan, in his speech, welcomed the visitors to the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival.
“Today, we gather here at Kisama not just as witnesses but as participants in this vibrant festival that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland and its diverse tribes,” he said.
The governor described the festival as a presentation of the state's tradition, a symbol of unity, and a testament to the diversity of India.
Ganesan said that the presence of those who had travelled from across the globe as well as those from other states of the country “signals a bridge across cultures, continents, and hearts.”
“We are thrilled to share with you the beats of our traditional dances, the melodies of our folk songs, the flavours of our cuisines, and the warmth of our Naga hospitality.
“In the days ahead, we look forward to enjoying not only the dances, music, and arts but also meaningful dialogues that honour our traditions and inspire brotherhood,” he said, adding that the Hornbill Festival is a space where “the ancient and contemporary, local and global, meet and create something magnificent.”
He also acknowledged all the government agencies, participants, and communities whose tireless efforts have made “this extraordinary celebration possible.”
Furthermore, he urged the people to not take the festival as entertainment only but also to enrich, connect, and inspire everyone to appreciate and preserve the marvels of history and traditions.
The festival host, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, in his speech on behalf of the state government and the people of Nagaland, welcomed the country and state partners and all visitors.
“Today, we proudly celebrate the 25th edition of the legendary Hornbill Festival, which embodies the spirit of the Naga way of life. This festival showcases the rich cultural heritage of our people, preserving the legacy of our forefathers from time immemorial. It brings together all tribes and communities in a spirit of unity and oneness,” he said.
Maintaining that over the years, the celebration has transcended borders, bringing together nations from four continents to collaborate for the greater good of humanity, he paid tribute to the people of Nagaland, stating that the success of the globally recognised event over the past 25 years is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and unity of the Naga people.
He added that each citizen is a stakeholder in this remarkable journey, and the triumph of the Hornbill Festival belongs to all.
Appreciating the guests, he expressed hope that they experience the warmth of Naga hospitality. He invited them to not only immerse themselves in Nagaland’s rich culture but also to go home as Nagaland’s ambassadors.
Further, he urged the guests to partake in the celebrations and have a memorable and enriching Nagaland experience.
Earlier, the chief minister informed that to enhance the tourist experience, the main arena in Kisama has been substantially expanded; a new gallery of more than 5000 seats has been installed.
In order to avoid traffic congestion during the festival, more parking spaces were developed and a new road constructed within the Heritage Village to ease out vehicles during the time of exit. A new VIP gallery and the performing stage are expected to be completed next year, he informed.
Besides several other facilities in Kisama, Nagaland government has introduced various initiatives, including Tourist Connect Scheme to support local tour operators and home stay owners. In addition, it also introduced a shuttle bus service to make it easier for people to navigate within the festival premises, ensuring that all visitors can enjoy the festival to the fullest.
Speeches were also delivered by Keiichi Ono, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to India; Javier Manuel Paulinich Velarde, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to India; Lindy Cameron, CB OBE, British High Commissioner to India; Dr. AR Rahman, Padma Bhushan, Grammy and Oscar winner; Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director, India British Council Division, and Minister for Educational and Cultural Affairs; Andrew Gwatkin, Director of International Relations and Trade, Welsh Government; Jorgan Andrews, Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Embassy; and Dr. Y Kiran Kumar, Chairman, Suchirindia Group of Companies and Suchirindia Foundation and Hon. Consul, Republic of Bulgaria.
They expressed delight in partnering with the Hornbill Festival and highlighted the various artists performing to represent their countries.
Rev. Dr. James Thoppil DD, Bishop of Kohima, offered a prayer, and tribal guest Medoo Keretsu, Head GB of Kohima, invoked traditional blessings.
To officially launch the festival, Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio beat the traditional gong, following which various artists from country partners and TaFMA performed for the visitors.
Mention may be made here that Japan, Wales, Peru, and the United States are the country partners, while Telangana and Sikkim are the state partners.